What was it like to be surrounded by intense social upheaval in the South in the 1960s?

An exhibition that opened Sunday over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at the Allentown Art Museum will allow visitors to step beyond the headlines to view 156 striking and emotional images taken by nine photographers who lived at the epicenter of the Civil Rights Movement."This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement," is on display now through May 15.The exhibit documents the unprecedented changes to our country that occurred during this tumultuous era and are still relevant today.Unlike images by photojournalists, who covered breaking news events, the exhibition captures the commitment of black and white alike to the cause of racial justice, their resolve in the face of violence, their impact on the nation's politics, and on the nation's consciousness."This Light of Ours offers a powerful, telling snapshot of the human condition. It provides much-needed perspective on how far we've come and how far we still need to go," says museum President and CEO David Mickenberg."The museum is honored to bring this exhibition and four months of related programing to the Lehigh Valley. It clearly demonstrates the power of art - and the responsibility of our museum - to stir emotion, bring people together, create dialogues, seek answers and make a difference in our community."In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the museum is open today until 5 p.m., with free admission and special programing, including a Story Station where visitors can record their personal recollections of the struggle during the Civil Rights Movement, films documenting the evolution of the Black Power Movement in America, a performance of protest strategies used most recently by Black Lives Matter supporters and organizers, and a one-hour art-making workshop for families in honor of King's legacy.Other programing highlights during the run of the exhibition include a performance by TV and stage actress Anna Deavere Smith ("Nurse Jackie," "The West Wing") on April 8 at Muhlenberg College and the "This Light of Ours" film series at Civic Theatre of Allentown, with a film a month related to civil rights from January through May.An audio tour of the exhibition is available at

www.ThisLightOfOurs.com.For a complete listing of programs related to This Light of Ours visit the museum's website at AllentownArtMuseum.org.Museum Hours:Galleries, including "This Light of Ours," Wednesday, Friday, Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., free entry from 4 to 8 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., free all day.The Allentown Art Museum is located at 31 N. Fifth St. in Allentown.For more information, visit the museum's website.