STORIES FROM PAFA
Celebrating PAFA's After-School Studio Arts Program
Celebrating PAFA's After-School Studio Arts Program
For program founder and painting instructor Al Gury, PAFA’s After-School Studio Arts Program embodies a deep commitment to providing accessible art education for Philadelphia's underserved youth, offering a welcoming space for students to explore their creativity, build confidence, and cultivate community. From its humble beginnings with a handful of students sketching in PAFA’s Cast Hall, the program has grown over three decades into a dynamic and inclusive hub that has transformed creative dreams into reality for thousands of young artists across the city.
Introduction
PAFA’s After-School Studio Arts Program is a free initiative designed to help high school students expand their art skills, providing hands-on instruction in drawing, painting, and other foundational art forms. Open to any student—whether building a portfolio or simply exploring their creativity—the program has impacted thousands of students since its official launch in January 1994, creating a safe, nurturing environment for young artists to thrive. This fall marks the program's 30th anniversary.
A close-up of a student carefully working on a monochromatic still life.
Program Origins and Vision
In 1993, then-interim PAFA President Dr. Dorothy Brown and Academic Dean Frederick Osborne enlisted Gury’s expertise to create an arts outreach program for Philadelphia high schoolers. The initial class, taught by Gury in PAFA's historic Cast Hall, welcomed 12 students and marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Funded initially by PAFA’s budget, the program soon gained support from external donors.
Expansion and Growth
The program’s impact quickly spread, reaching schools across Philadelphia and expanding to include painting classes. By integrating internships for PAFA’s MFA students, the program created valuable teaching opportunities for aspiring educators while enabling more students to join. "The program wasn't just about providing art classes for students already interested in art; it was about reaching those who excelled in creative environments," says Gury. "We welcomed them without judgment and simply asked for commitment."
Students sketch casts in the Cast Hall of the Historic Landmark Building.
Impact on Students and Schools
The program fills a crucial gap in public school art education, especially for schools with limited arts funding. PAFA has provided SEPTA tokens for students from Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, enabling greater accessibility. Students with special educational needs also find support and acceptance in the program, where they develop skills and confidence that translate to success beyond the art studio.
Community Support and Continued Growth
Gury continues to advocate for the program's expansion beyond PAFA’s campus, with strong internal and external support. The program has received significant endorsements from the School District of Philadelphia and steadfast backing from the Women's Committee of PAFA, Board member Winston Lowe, and many others. "For 30 years, we've provided a safe, creative place after school for youth from diverse educational backgrounds, and it’s something PAFA should truly be proud of," he says.
The Role of PAFA’s MFA Students as Instructors
The program has provided PAFA MFA students and undergraduate interns with valuable teaching experience in a rigorous, skills-focused setting, equipping them for future careers in education. Student instructors like Nancy Bea Miller (MFA ’14) and Abigail King (MFA ’13) praised the program for fostering a supportive environment of mutual respect and enthusiasm for art, allowing them to guide students who are eager to learn and grow rapidly as artists.
An instructor demonstrates an art technique to engaged students.
Success Stories and Long-Term Impact
Many After-School Program alumni have continued their education in PAFA’s Certificate, BFA, and MFA programs, going on to successful careers in the arts. Alumni like Bryan DeProspero, Abby King, Nancy Bea Miller, Sterling Shaw, and David Wilson exemplify the program's long-term impact, with each artist building a unique career rooted in their time at PAFA.
Bryan DeProspero, originally from Delaware County, studied and later worked at PAFA. His work draws on the contrasting environments of Philadelphia's urban scenery and tranquil natural settings. His oil paintings and mixed media pieces reflect these influences, as he experiments with various materials and techniques to capture the essence of these landscapes.
Abby King is an artist and educator originally from Philadelphia, now based in Vienna, Austria. She received her MFA in Visual Art from PAFA in 2022. King has exhibited her work internationally, including at Automat Gallery, Marginal Utility, and PAFA. From 2017 to 2022, she served as Assistant Director of Education at PAFA, where she oversaw the development and execution of programs for the museum, including educational presentations, performances, symposia, and after-hours events. She also created the PAFA from Home series and delivered programming to diverse stakeholders across PAFA's digital platforms. King now teaches adult art classes at Common Room space in Vienna. She has received the Breuggeman Fellowship grant and two New Courtland Fellowships from the Center for Emerging Visual Artists.
Nancy Bea Miller, a painter born in New York City, earned a 4-Year Certificate and her MFA in 2014 from the PAFA. She works from her studio in Penn Valley, Pennsylvania, and maintains a teaching studio in Philadelphia, while also painting in Maine and New Mexico. Her work is featured in galleries and private collections both in the US and abroad. She has received numerous honors, including Best of Show at the Art of the Flower exhibition, the Faculty Award from PAFA, and grants such as the Art & Change Grant from the Leeway Foundation and the Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts.
Sterling Shaw participated in the program in 1998/99, and then was accepted into the Certificate Program upon graduation. In 2000, Shaw won one of PAFA’s highly sought-after awards, the Cresson Memorial Travel Scholarship. His artwork has been shown at venues such as The Painting Center in New York, Woodmere Art Museum, and Delaware Contemporary, and he has received several honors, including the Woodmere Endowment Fund Memorial Prize. Shaw's work is held in numerous collections, including the Woodmere Art Museum and the Petrucci Family Foundation, and he currently works from his studio in South Philadelphia.
David Wilson received his MFA from PAFA in 2010 and worked as program coordinator, teaching assistant, and instructor. Wilson is the recipient of several awards including the Hiram Gee Painting Award from Syracuse University and the R. Tait McKenzie Medal from the Philadelphia Sketch Club. His paintings have exhibited in numerous gallery and museum exhibitions in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, and Portland.
Conclusion
"My hope is for it to be a place where young artists can keep coming back, as students and then as mentors," says Gury. In an increasingly digital world, PAFA’s After-School Studio Arts Program offers vital, hands-on experiences that build skills and foster community. The program’s success depends on continued community support, including ongoing fundraising and grants. These efforts to secure funding ensure the program will remain an invaluable resource for future generations of Philadelphia youth.
For additional information, please contact Yao Wang, Art Education Manager or Jabri Jackson-Burton, Pre College Coordinator or visit our website: www.pafa.org/education/center-for-art-education
ABOUT AL GURY
Al Gury is a Philadelphia-based artist, educator, and writer, serving as a Professor of Painting and Drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) since 2001. A graduate of PAFA (1976), he explores the tension between representation and formal elements like color and composition in his painting, focusing on harmony and visual poetry. He teaches painting, drawing, and art history, and founded PAFA's free After-School Studio Arts Program, which provides art education to underserved high school students. Gury has written three books for Penguin-Random House and numerous articles for art publications. A practicing artist, he regularly exhibits his work at the F.A.N. Gallery in Philadelphia and other venues. Additionally, he is involved in social justice efforts, including working with the homeless, inner-city youth, and animal welfare organizations like the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.
