Realizing “every commute could use a little creative inspiration,” Lehigh Valley roadways are showcasing some dynamic art from seven local artists.

The second annual ArtPop Lehigh Valley program selected winning artists via a juried competition whose works will be displayed, on a grand scale, on seven Adams Outdoor Advertising billboards through December.

The winners unveiled by ArtsQuest at the Banana Factory included Parkland High School senior Jeremy Gipson.

According to Curt Mosel, senior vice president of Marketing and Corporate Partnership, ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley was the second region in the nation to offer ArtPop competitions, now seven cities across the country.

“It’s also a wonderful example of the great things that can happen when the business and arts communities work together for a common goal, in this case, elevating the profile of the regions artists and art scene,” Mosel said.

Adams Outdoor Advertising General Manager, Tony Cioffi applauded the talented artists.

“I couldn’t be more proud of all the artists who submitted their work, but extremely proud of the high school folks,” said Cioffi. “At Adams we believe everything should be inspirational, so when you turn the roadways into art galleries, it becomes really cool.”

With the program’s success last year, the first in the Lehigh Valley, ArtPop added a Scholastic Division to this year’s competition, which was open to high school students, grades nine through 12.

Gipson’s graphite drawing “REACH” was chosen the winner from many scholastic submissions.

Gipson is enrolled in a Portfolio Prep course with Linda LaDue, which is where his winning artwork was created.

“Being a student and having an opportunity to have my artwork on a billboard is an amazing feeling. It makes me want to continue to make art and get my name out there,” Gipson said after being announced as the first ArtPop Lehigh Valley Scholastic winner.

In addition to thanking the businesses involved and his parents for their support, Gipson also acknowledged his school.

“Parkland High School for supporting the arts, and my art teacher, Ms. LaDue for pushing me to be not only a better artist, but a better person,” he said.

LaDue said over her 10 years at Parkland, she has had multiple students with incredible artistic talents.

“The kids at Parkland are really focused, they’re really hard working and put a lot of thought into their work,” said LaDue.

According to LaDue, Parkland gives her students the opportunity to excel, “It [the high school] says Arts, Athletics and Academics on the front of the building. The Arts are up there on the wall just as big as life.”

Gipson spoke about the inspiration for his winning piece.

“I’ve always been fascinated by The Old Masters, the quality of their faces… and so I tried to replicate that,” said Gipson. “It has a ghostly look to the artwork that gives it like a weird, creepy feeling.

“If it weren’t for me being inspired by line, by Picasso, that piece wouldn’t have happened because my original sketch was in-line with a very graphic look to it.”

“I took that graphic look and changed it into the realistic look so that when people look at the billboard, they wouldn’t be like oh, what’s happening up there?”

LaDue interjected, “It has such an abstract graphic quality, but as you get closer and closer and closer, you realize the realism. It could be a tumultuous storm brewing, it could be a whirlpool, it could be an eye…it makes you want to keep looking at the billboard as you’re driving along,” said LaDue.

“It means different things to different people,” Gipson said. “That is the best thing about art.”

A member of the National Art Honor Society, Gipson said he also enjoys making music.

He plans to attend college to pursue a degree in Fine Arts and is currently considering a variety of institutions including Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Maryland Institute College of Art, University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and Kutztown University.

According to Arts-Quest, the ArtPop program was started by Wendy Hickey in Charlotte, N.C.

The program is designed to highlight local artists and the important roles they play in the community by showcasing their work throughout available billboard media space.

Stacie Brennan, senior director of visual arts, ArtsQuest commented.

“This is an initiative that really puts a spotlight on the amazing artists who call the Lehigh Valley their home,” Brennan said.

“Adams is proud to bring the ArtPop program to the Lehigh Valley, we have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement of the area’s residents and community leaders,” said Cioffi.

The ArtPop billboards are beginning to “pop up” around the area.

Gipson’s billboard was located across the bridge from Union Street to Tilghman Street, in Allentown.