News

installation view of "awakened in you"

Philadelphia Inquirer | Constance Clayton’s Gift to PAFA Is Now on Display

Take a look behind the scenes of the exhibition, "Awakened in You" with reporter Stephan Salisbury. The exhibition features works from the gift of Dr. Constance E. Clayton and "has the aura of a family meal around the dinner table," Salisbury writes.

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Dr. Constance E. Clayton is photographed with her mother, Williabell Clayton, in whose honor 78 artworks were donated to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

WHYY | PAFA Displays Black Art Collection of Constance Clayton, Former Philadelphia School Superintendent

WHYY's Peter Crimmins takes a look at PAFA's upcoming exhibition, "Awakened In You": The Collection of Dr. Constance E. Clayton.
In the News
John Ditunno, 87, a spinal cord injury rehabilitation doctor who retired in August from his work at Jefferson Health, talks about his artwork during his sculpting class at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. | Image: Heather Khalifa for the Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia Inquirer | At 87, This Philly Physician to Spinal Cord Injury Patients Finds Hope in Sculpting

John Ditunno, a doctor at Thomas Jefferson University, discovered his love of sculpture on a trip to Italy about 24 years ago. Though he recently retired after 50 years of teaching, he hasn't stopped sculpting. Alongside 3 other doctors, he spends many of his Saturday mornings in a Continuing…
In the News
making community installation view

Philadelphia Inquirer | Spring 2020 Art Museums Preview

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlights PAFA's spring exhibitions, Making Community, At One Stroke, "Awakened in You", and Invisible City—for its roundup of Spring 2020 programming.
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Brodsky Center Director Paola Morsiani guides visitors through a print portfolio

Brodsky Center Traveling Seminar Participants Announced

PAFA's Brodsky Center is pleased to announce the participants in its upcoming traveling seminar on contemporary prints for early- to mid-career curators. The seminar is made possible by a grant from the Getty Foundation and will take place April 5–10 across multiple venues in Philadelphia and New…
Press Release
Lonnie Holley Installation View

New Outdoor Installation by Artist Lonnie Holley Now On View

PAFA is pleased to present "Lost Child", a new outdoor projection installation by the acclaimed American artist Lonnie Holley. On view February 1–April 12, 2020, "Lost Child" is projected onto the north-facing wall of PAFA's Historic Landmark Building as part of a new initiative supported by PNC…
Press Release
making community installation view

Philly Influencer | PAFA celebrates 40 years of American printmaking and Helen Frankenthaler with new exhibits

Philly Influencer reviews PAFA's newest exhibitions: "The world-renowned institution has flawlessly assembled an astounding group of artists in these new showcases, which collectively feature more than one hundred pieces of art."
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laura wheeler waring

Philadelphia Magazine | Celebrate Black History Month

February is Black History Month and Philadelphia Magazine's Pat Rapa named our forthcoming exhibition, "Awakened In You": The Collection of Dr. Constance E. Clayton, as one of its top picks for the month.
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Henry O. Tanner, "Pomp at Philadelphia Zoo" (ca. 1880-86). Oil on artist's board, 12 x 10 inches. Museum Purchase (2019.47).

Philadelphia Inquirer | Henry O. Tanner's Great Painting of a Wise Old Lion Now Belongs to PAFA

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Stephan Salisbury takes a closer look at PAFA's recent acquisitions to the permanent collection. PAFA acquired alumnus Henry Ossawa Tanner's portrait of Pomp the lion, completed in the 1880s.
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John Grieg in shop

John Grieg (Cert. '02): Sculpture Shop Manager and Teacher of "Found Materials"

As the shop manager for PAFA’s sculpture department, John Grieg '02 sees opportunities to create in materials students leave behind. He teaches a “Found Materials” class at PAFA with fellow graduates Steven Dufala ‘00 and Billy Blaise Dufala ‘03, teaching students the value of raw materials. Making…
Alumni News
artwork detail

WHYY | Philadelphia as the Center of the American Avant-Garde

WHYY's Peter Crimmins reviews the multi-sited exhibition, organized by University of the Arts’ Sid Sachs. Invisible City is on view at University of the Arts, the Philadelphia Art Alliance, and PAFA.

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hlb peale gallery

Condé Nast Traveler | 15 Best Museums in Philadelphia

Condé Nast Traveler selects PAFA as a top museum to visit in Philadelphia: "PAFA isn't on the typical tourist track, instead drawing true art aficionados and intellectuals. Since it's also a highly regarded art school, the museum feels very alive—you get the feeling that many of your fellow perusers…
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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.