News

abstract sculpture mounted on wall
As part of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s series “A More Perfect Union,” which explores the roots of systemic racism in America through institutions founded in Philadelphia, Dr. Synatra Smith and Zoe Greenberg examined the legacy of Black artists at PAFA.
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installation view of galleries with blue and red walls and landscape paintings
Five art experts on their favorite pieces in Making American Artists: Stories from PAFA, 1776-1976.
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print with drawings of figures
WHYY Host Priyanka Tewari sat down with Philadelphia-based artist, activist, and collector, Ofelia Garcia and Dr. Brittany Webb, curator of Gift/Deeds: Collectors at PAFA, to speak on how and why people collect art.
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Brittany Webb headshot

Peter Dobrin reports in The Philadelphia Inquirer that the artist Tanda Francis has been chosen to create a statue of the renowned vocalist Marian Anderson from South Philadelphia, to stand outside of the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

PAFA curator, Brittany Webb was on the jury panel that…

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Anna Marley standing in front of landscape painting with fox in snow and crows above
Julia Shipley reports on several national art scholars' favorite selections from the exhibition, including The Fox Hunt by Winslow Homer, as well as works by Harriet Hosmer, May Howard Jackson, and Georgia O'Keefe.
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Power Players in Education Eric Pryor

PAFA President Eric Pryor is in Metro Philadelphia's list of Education Philly Power Players today. Eric spoke about the personal growth inherent in an art education, and the necessity to champion equity in arts education.

"When I meet with PAFA students, I am consistently impressed with how the…

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gallery with small works on paper

Dr. Brittany Webb, Evelyn and Will Kaplan Curator of Twentieth Century Art and the John Rhoden Collection, spoke to Art Watch about her current exhibition Gift/Deeds: Collectors at PAFA. Art Watch is a radio show with Constance McBride in conversation with culture producers—artists and creative…

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hanging mobile sculpture

The Calder Foundation has unveiled its vision for "Calder Gardens" in Philadelphia, a new home to showcase three generations of Philadelphia artists. In anticipation, Stephen Salisbury includes PAFA's ties to the Calder family in the Philadelphia Inquirer, highlighting where to view their work even…

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Sculpture of plane in outdoor plaza

Several news organizations have helped us bid farewell to Grumman Greenhouse (2011).  PAFA has been proud to host the popular, monumental piece created by alum Jordan Griska (PAFA-Penn Coordinated BFA '08) for an extended run. Although originally intended to be up for one year, it has remained for…

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Digital collage of Anna Hoppel with paintings
Undergraduate Anna Hoppel was recently featured by Natalia Castillo for 34th Street Magazine, part of The Daily Pennsylvanian, an independent student news organization of the University of Pennsylvania. View her work in person at the 121st Annual Student Exhibition, May 13–June 5.
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Installation view of ASE 2021
PhillyMag has featured the 121st Annual Student Exhibition (ASE) in their "highly curated, strongly opinionated guide to things to do this month." ASE is one of only two art events to be selected.
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Joan Semmel Skin in the Game painting
Alpesh Kantilal Patel reviewed the recent retrospective, "Joan Semmel: Skin in the Game," for ArtForum's artguide data base of special events and exhibitions.
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About PAFA

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is the United States’ first school and museum of fine arts. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers a world-class collection of American art, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and educational opportunities in the fine arts. The PAFA Museum aims to tell America's diverse story through art, expanding who has been included in the canon of art history through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, while classes educate artists and appreciators with a deep understanding of traditions and the ability to challenge conventions. 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.