Philadelphia, PA – The new Alumni Sales Gallery at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) presents Language of Line, Geometry, Pattern and Shape, on view February 18 through April 17, 2011, showcasing works by John Formicola, Ruslan Khais, Frank Lentini, Maria Marable, Karen Steen and Tim Van Campen.
The work by PAFA alumni ranges from large-scale geometric designs, delicate nature drawings to digital prints. Ruslan Khais’ oil paintings reveal a fascination with the effects of light on landscape, a chaos of colorful dots, stripes, seemingly mechanical brush marks, and occasional allusions to digital photography. Tim Van Campen’s work is centered in geometric design, using symmetry and pattern to create his large-scale paintings. Karen Steen focuses on the fragile balance of nature in her meticulous drawings on paper. Maria Marable creates delicate abstract interpretations of the universe using images sent by the Hubble camera on space missions. Frank Lentini describes his work as a “collision between geometric and biomorphic abstraction,” and John Formicola’s new digital prints relate to his concerns with the formality of form and color while creating synthetic and surreal imagery.
The exhibition is juried by artists Ken Kewley and Peter van Dyck. Kewley has exhibited his work nationally and internationally, and has taught and lectured at the Jerusalem Studio School, National Academy of Design and Pratt Institute. PAFA faculty member Peter van Dyck studied at The Florence Academy of Art. His paintings have been exhibited, among others, at the Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in New York and the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco.
“This exhibit showcases a few of the many artists who are continuing to make their work and explore their lives as artists in the context of the world around them,” says Tish Ingersoll, Alumni Sales Gallery Manager. “I am grateful for the opportunity to promote the wonderful work by PAFA Alumni.”
The 700-square-foot gallery is located in PAFA’s Historic Landmark Building, located at 118 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia, and provides an opportunity for PAFA’s talented alumni to display and sell their artwork. A changing selection of artwork is juried by a group of faculty and the Alumni Gallery Manager, and features paintings, prints, sculpture, works on paper, high quality crafts and other artworks by alumni. On display to museum-goers and the general public, the gallery is open during all museum operating hours and will host openings and events to provide additional exposure. For more information about the Alumni Sales Gallery, please contact Tish Ingersoll at 215-391-4187 or alumnigallery@pafa.org.
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Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is America's first school of fine arts and museum. A recipient of the 2005 National Medal of Arts presented by the President of the United States, PAFA is a recognized leader in fine arts education. Nearly every major American artist has taught, studied, or exhibited at the Academy. The institution's world-class collection of American art continues to grow and provides what only a few other art institutions in the world offer: the rare combination of an outstanding museum and an extraordinary faculty known for its commitment to students and for the stature and quality of its artistic work.
Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Academy is located at 118-128 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia. Admission to the Permanent Collection is Adults $10, Seniors (60+) & Students with I.D. $8, Youth ages 13-18, $8. Admission to Special Exhibitions (includes Permanent Collection) is Adults $15, Seniors (60+) & Students with I.D. $12, Youth Ages 13-18, $12. Admission is free for members and children under age of 12. Admission to Morris Gallery exhibitions is free.