PAFA Announces Preview Party
for 114th Annual Student Exhibition

Thursday, May 14, 2015, 4 - 8:30 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA (March 23, 2015) -- The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will kick off the 114th Annual Student Exhibition (ASE) with a Preview Party, hosted by PAFA's Women's Board, on Thursday, May 14, 2015, 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building, 128 North Broad Street in Philadelphia.

The gala evening is the major annual fundraiser of PAFA's Women's Board, and it provides the first chance to view and purchase nearly 1,000 paintings, sculptures, works on paper and installations created by BFA students, third- and fourth-year Certificate program students, and MFA candidates, all on the verge of their professional careers.   

Preview Party guests have the opportunity to discuss the works with the artists, present throughout the evening. Students retain the majority of the purchase price of works sold, and all proceeds from the Preview Party support PAFA student scholarships. Accessible prices, typically in the range of just under $100 to $5,000, have created an enthusiastic following throughout the greater Philadelphia region. The sale continues until the exhibition closes on June 7; however, the majority of ASE sales occur during the Preview Party.

Honorary Chairs for the 2015 Preview Party are Robert Bryan and Julie Jensen Bryan, and the Co-Chairs are Marianne Dean and Janice Peck. "The ASE Preview Party is a fabulous way to see and purchase early works by budding artists," said Marianne Dean. "It's a wonderful chance to see what talented artists create at the start of their careers." Janice Peck added, "It's a wonderful party where everyone enjoys the first chance to choose from the exhibition. Who knows - maybe one will be next Mary Cassatt or Maxfield Parrish."

Ticket prices are in multiple tiers, allowing guests different benefits and entry times: Scholar level attendees at $3,000 per person, Philanthropist level at $1,000, and Connoisseur level at $500 all enter at 4 p.m. and have the first full hour to themselves to enjoy the exhibition and make their selections. Collector levels at $300 per person enter at 5 p.m., Patrons at $250 enter at 6 p.m., and Friends at $150 enter at 7 p.m. The party, sale and festivities continue until 8:30 p.m.

The 114th Annual Student Exhibition opens to the public the next day, Friday, May 15, and continues until Sunday, June 7. For tickets and information, visit pafa.org/asepreview or call 215-972-2077.

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About PAFA

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 PAFA. 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.

About PAFA's Women's Board

Founded in 1950 and named the Women's Committee until 2001, the Women's Board is aligned with the values of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and works to support PAFA in accordance with its mission statement. The Women's Board produces one of PAFA's most important fundraising events of the year, the Annual Student Exhibition Preview Party, which supports student scholarships.