News

Mariel Capanna's "A Nice Gift for Friends and Relatives" on display at Adams and Ollman in Portland, Oregon

Roots in Philadelphia Connect Alumni Gallerist and Artist

Years after graduating from PAFA and thousands of miles apart, two kindred spirits have found each other. Gallery owner Amy Adams (MFA ’01) has welcomed artist Mariel Capanna (BFA ’12, Certificate ’13) into the artist roster at Adams and Ollman in Portland, Oregon. With a shared love for their…

Alumni News
Varvàra Fern checks alignment of railroad sculpture hung on wall

Varvàra Fern (BFA ’22) Paving the Way for International Students

A lot has changed since 2018, when a young Varvàra Fern (BFA ’22) entered the undergraduate sculpture program at PAFA and felt the culture shock from Moscow to North Broad Street in Philadelphia. “When I came to PAFA, I had so many problems I had to solve...With the student visa time here is pretty…

Perspectives
mock up image of design for Alien Drive Thru

Burning Man grant awarded to alum Madeline Fried for "Alien Drive-Thru"

Receiving one of the first Burning Man Honoraria awarded to a PAFA alum, Madeline Fried (Cert. ‘16) is an artist helping us confront today’s challenges by imagining the future.

Fried is a founding member of Swing Shift Studio, a Bay Area collective whose work combines activism, science, art, and…

Alumni News
PAFA News

Woodmere Art Museum exhibits two alumni: Maci Kocizewski (MFA '22) and Nicole Michaud (Cert '12)

Two alumni are featured in the Woodmere Art Museum's 80th juried exhibition Nicole Michaud (Certificate '12) and Maci Kocizewski (MFA '22) through August 28, 2022. PAFA shares a deep history with the Woodmere, which features the art and artists of Philadelphia.
Alumni News
Vernon's Silent Hymns 2

Freeman's Presents 'Reflections' with Navanjali Kelsey and Hong-Bich Huynh Vernon

In a testimony to the work of recent Low-Residency MFA students, the oldest auction house in America is showing two alum in their gallery through September 16.
Alumni News
painting by Nicole Parker

Alums Nicole Parker and Martin Geiger Receive Grants from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation

Congratulations are in order for alums Nicole Parker (BFA '17, Cert '18) and Martin Geiger (Cert '19) on their recent awards from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. The organization supports emerging artists from around the world who are working in a representational style and demonstrate the…

Alumni News
Installation view of Gift Deeds Kholer collection

“Gift/Deeds: Collectors at PAFA” Exhibition Series, Features 20th Century and Contemporary Art Selections Gifted to PAFA

PHILADELPHIA - June 30 2022 - The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) is pleased to present, “Gift/Deeds: Collectors at PAFA,” an exhibition of 20th century and contemporary art gifted to PAFA’s permanent collection by six significant and influential Philadelphia art collectors. The…

Press Release
Details of works by Gu and Mamba

Two Alums at Commonweal Gallery, Yikui (Coy) Gu and Eustace Mamba

Gu and Mamba engage their first-generation experiences to interrogate the development and deployment of identity in America in the exhibition Living in between worlds, open Wednesday, June 29th through Saturday, July 30th. Visit the opening celebration on Friday, July 1st from 6 - 9 PM.
Alumni News
Colorful promo graphic from Estudio Abierto

Faculty David Dempewolf exhibits in Vigo, Spain

David Dempewolf shows at the Estudio Abierto in Vigo, Spain this summer. The exhibition Spectrum from June 17-19 is curated by Josías Figueirido and Alberto ASH Santos. Read the Spanish preview in La Voz de Galicia by Begoña Rodríguez Sotelino, "La mítica consola «Spectrum» inspira a seis artistas…

bands of Juneteenth colors red green yellow black

Celebrate Juneteenth with us, from President Eric Pryor

All PAFA facilities - studios, museums and college - will be closed on Monday, June 20th in honor of Juneteenth. "As we turn as a nation to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday, I am mindful of those who paved the way for us to get to this national celebration..."
Watercolor of George Hitchcock by John McLure Hamilton

Spotlight on Human Form and Anatomy at Continuing Educaiton

Have you ever felt limited in your art subjects by the challenge of depicting people? Translating the human form from observation is one of the cornerstones of PAFA's long tradition of rigorous instruction. Gain confidence by joining summer Continuing Education courses in Human Form and Anatomy…

Graphite drawing of nude male figure

Old Buildings Provide New Home for BFA Student Faith Castillo

Since her very first visit to PAFA, Faith has truly found her place in a close-knit community where she can focus on her art.
Perspectives

About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is America's first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers undergraduate and graduate programs in the fine arts, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and a world-class collection of American art. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Thomas Eakins, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.