To infuse art into the construction process of the John and Richanda Rhoden Arts Center, PAFA commissioned Matthew Chapman (MFA '15) to paint a temporary mural in the Frances M. Maguire Gallery around what will become the entrance of the new space. To create the geometric design, he drew inspiration…
Ahead of PAFA's Rina Banerjee exhibition this fall, the museum is activating several of its gallery spaces with Banerjee’s work. During the installation of Banerjee's 18-foot bright pink recreation of the Taj Mahal, the artist discussed the significance of the building, the role of marriage in…
After an encounter with Jane Golden of the Mural Arts program, David McShane has had the opportunity to share his art with the city, as well as help people leave their own mark on Philadelphia. The sports lover recently completed the mural at the Eagles Playground at the Horatio B. Hackett…
For much of her career, Anne Greenwood has been a teacher. But right now she’s relishing being taught. The second-year student in PAFA's Low-Residency MFA program is taking a break from her career in teaching for the 26-month program. Even though she’s away from home, Greenwood is thinking of what…
Currents, a six-week summer residency program at PAFA provides undergraduate students from across the country with a rigorous art-making experience that includes individual studio space and student housing, lectures and critiques, museum and gallery visits. "You see students who are very used to the…
Artists Nestor Armando Gil and Didier William met at the Experimental Printmaking Institute. The meeting led to a friendship and the two-person exhibition SWARM., currently being shown at PAFA.
Low-Res MFA student Beth Cody is in her final year of PAFA's Low-Res MFA program. “It was great for me because I wish I could do this forever,” said the California native. “It’s so special to be here.”
When Jessica Willittes (Cert. '17) had her work "39 Victory Acres Between Us & Them" chosen for Infinite Spaces, PAFA's summer exhibition, it needed to be preserved and readied for hanging. Liz McDermott, PAFA's conservator technician, stepped in to teach Willittes about conserving artwork.
Low-Res MFA student Suzanne Morgan is in her first year of PAFA's program. After working on her studio practice privately, Morgan is ready to explore new mediums and utilize PAFA's facilities. “I’d like to play as much as I can while I’m here and do all sorts of things,” she said. “I’m very excited…
Graduates from PAFA’s MFA class of 2018 are mounting an exhibition this summer at 1969 Gallery in New York City's Lower East Sice, along with graduates from Boston University’s MFA program. This joint exhibition, titled MAP, features a selection of painting, sculpture, video, and installation work…
PAFA’s history and prolific collection of American art stretch back to the 18th century. Many works from the country’s earliest and greatest artists call PAFA home. PAFA is equally proud of the contemporary artists it collects. "Infinite Spaces: Rediscovering PAFA’s Permanent Collection" highlights…
PAFA Digital Studio Technician Adrian Cubillas uses his knowledge of museum-quality imaging to help students get high-quality images of their artwork for documentation, applications, and printing. Having previously worked at the Philadelphia Museum of Art documenting artworks, Cubillas helps…
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, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
