PAFA presents a major exhibition of artwork by pioneering African American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner, on view January 28 – April 15. During the run of the exhibition, visitors can enjoy evening hours on Wednesdays and free admission on Sundays.
Member Events
Friday, January 27, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit Preview Party
Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts invites you to the Preview Party for Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit. Light refreshments will be served.
Free to PAFA members, $10 for guests. Pre-registration required. RSVP by January 17. Reserve tickets.
Family Arts Academy
Spring 2012, Sundays, 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Family Arts Academy aims to strengthen initiatives in family development and art education. It’s also fun! Whatever shape your family takes, you are welcome to learn about, create and celebrate art with us.
For more information about on-site Sunday workshops or Community Outreach opportunities, contact the Family Programs Coordinator at 215-972-2022.
Free for students and families in the School District of Philadelphia and Charter Schools.
For specific Tanner related workshops or to view the full season schedule click here.
Performances, Lectures and Workshops
All Sunday programs during the Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit exhibition are free to everyone. They begin at 2 p.m. Click here for the detailed schedule of events.
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February 5 - Lecture: Willie Cole’s “Deep Impressions”
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February 12 - Performance: From Istanbul to Cairo
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February 26 - Workshop: As Is Painting, So Is Poetry
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March 4 - Lecture: Community Discovery Day
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March 11 - Around the World
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March 25 - A Source of Light: a Musical Portrait
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April 1 - Harlem on My Mind: Songs for Americans in Paris
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April 8 - The Night Sky
PAFA After Dark
PAFA After Dark takes place on six Thursdays each year from 6 to 9 p.m. Join us for these evenings of fun, flavor and friendship and experience our gorgeous galleries under the provocative blanket of night.
$10 in advance, $15 at the door for non-members. Tickets are free to members but reservations are required.
March 8 - Turned On
Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building
Excite all your senses at the kickoff to PAFA’s spring season, where we’ll showcase the Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit exhibition during the artist’s favorite time of day – night. Grab a glass of wine, linger by a jazz trio or experience the mystery of how electric light works with interactive experiences provided by inventor artists extraordinaire from The Hacktory and Hive76. Fourth Wall Arts returns to PAFA to curate the guest performances for the evening, flipping all their creative switches with performances by percussion group Spoken Hand, opera singer Alicia Mendoza and spoken word poet extraordinaire Nina “Lyrispect” Ball. Or listen to a gallery talk about the sensuality of Salome or the shocking reality of the electric light bulb in 19th century cities, and you’ll see PAFA’s biggest exhibition of the year in a totally new light.
Pen and Paintbrush Club
First Wednesday of the month from 3:30 – 5 p.m.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
- Thomas Merton
Losing yourself in a good book is a past-time known well to many, and now you can lose yourself twice over – in the book and then again in the galleries of the museum. Join Erin Gautsche, the Program Coordinator from the Kelly Writer’s House at the University of Pennsylvania, for four afternoons of books and paintings. She’ll introduce you to the themes of the books, guide a lively discussion, and then take you into the galleries to look at related artworks.
The group will gather in the lobby of the Historic Landmark Building and then proceed into the galleries to look at some art. Curiosity, opinions and good humor very much encouraged.
Admission is free to members, but registration is required. Contact Monica Zimmerman to join this fun new group! 215-972-2105 or mzimmerman@pafa.org.
April 4 - The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
A story about three American travelers adrift in the cities and deserts of North Africa after World War II, Bowles’ landmark novel explores the alien nature of navigating and appreciating new cultures. Discussion of Henry Tanner’s paintings from his travels abroad, especially to North Africa and the Holy Land, will encourage discussion about the specific way such experiences can influence and affect artistic production.
Click here for a detailed listing of all Pen and Paintbrush Club events.
Art-At-Lunch
Wednesdays from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
Art-at-Lunch is a series of talks on American art and culture. Bring your lunch and enjoy discussions and lectures with scholars and artists covering a variety of topics related to PAFA’s exhibitions, collections, and areas of interest. Art-at-Lunch is free to everyone.
For more information call 215-972-2105 or click here for the full spring schedule.
February 29 - Between Shores: Henry Ossawa Tanner and Transatlanticism
Henry Ossawa Tanner lived a life between two shores of the Atlantic – America and France – and his navigation of these national boundaries deeply affected his art. Tanner pursued his prolific body of religious paintings solely during this time “in between,” never painting a religious scene on American soil, and in this talk, Jeff Richmond-Moll, a Lecturing Fellow at PAFA, discusses how a Transatlantic vision of space and a precedent of “betweenness” in theology can enhance our understanding of the artist’s biblical scenes.
Events for Educators
Educators’ Evenings and workshops are for art and classroom teachers, grades K-12. Participating in these tailored events will help you to effectively prepare your students for their visit. Through gallery demonstrations, exhibition tours, lectures, group discussions, and hands-on activities, strategies are learned and developed to integrate exhibition concepts into the art and general curriculum.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is approved by the state of Pennsylvania to offer Act 48 credit. Each event or workshop earns 3 Pennsylvania continuing education hours.
Events are free, but we do ask that you RSVP, and please bring your Teacher ID on the night of the event. Contact Sarah Holloran at 215-972-2069 or sholloran@pafa.org to reserve a spot.
Wednesday, February 1, 5 - 8 p.m.
Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit
Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building
Help us kick-off PAFA’s special evening hours by attending this Educators’ Evening event. Take a trip around the world as you experience our much anticipated exhibition, Henry Ossawa Tanner: Modern Spirit. Learn about this lauded African-American artist as you take his journey through the U.S., Paris, and the Holy Land, while learning what life was like in Philadelphia and abroad. During this event you will be able to tour the exhibit, participate in interactive tour activities, receive teacher materials, enjoy discussions with museum education staff and colleagues, as well as participate in hands-on art projects, enjoy refreshments, and even win prizes.
Click here to for additional Events for Educators.