PAFA's 114th Annual Student Exhibition:
A Celebration of Tradition and the Emerging Artists of Today 
 

PHILADELPHIA (April 17, 2015) -- The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) presents its 114th Annual Student Exhibition, May 15 - June 7, in the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building at 128 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. The exhibition opens to the public with a reception on May 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The longest-standing exhibition of its kind, the Annual Student Exhibition (ASE) is one of the most highly anticipated student group shows in the country. It is also an art collector's dream, as the ASE offers the opportunity to view and purchase works by the art world's next big stars, including winners of PAFA's Spring Prize competition, prestigious Travel Awards, and other prizes awarded to students in recognition of various categories of excellence. This year's ASE will feature approximately 1,000 works in various media by 37 graduating MFA students and 49 Certificate and BFA students.

An academic capstone and professional debut for PAFA students, the ASE offers students the opportunity to curate, install, and sell their own works in a professional setting. While it is not uncommon for graduating art students to exhibit work, the Annual Student Exhibition provides an opportunity to have work displayed in the galleries of a major museum. Thousands of people see the work: artists, collectors, curators, as well as the general public.

Formal and informal PAFA experiences to prepare students for the ASE include studio classes in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture; critiques from faculty and visiting artists; student-organized exhibitions during the academic year; and ASE workshops focusing on topics ranging from pricing artwork and talking about their work, to planning and installing an exhibition, as well as artwork management practices, and curator discussions.

On May 14, 2015, the ASE kicks off with a Preview Party hosted by PAFA's Women's Board. More information can be found at www.pafa.edu/ase.