Two years ago, incoming PAFA student Grace Mox didn’t see art as the direction for her. But going through a rough patch during her junior year of high school opened Mox’s eyes to what art could mean for her life. As Grace continued working on her art, she began visiting art schools. PAFA’s Center…
PAFA is pleased to present its major fall exhibition, "Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World," the first mid-career retrospective on the contemporary practice of Bengali-born, New York-based artist Rina Banerjee, co-organized with the San Jose Museum of Art.
The pace and tone of weekly critiques from PAFA faculty, visiting artists, and fellow students in the Low-Residency MFA program are different from Kevin Hetzel's (MFA '20) previous experiences. They are a welcome addition as he continues to develop his art practice.
For most of his life, Mark White (MFA '18) has kept his artwork on the sidelines. Although he majored in art in college, his career path took him another way. After a career in the army, he retired and enrolled in the Low-Residency MFA Program at PAFA.
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) congratulates artist Martin Puryear (b. 1941) for being chosen to represent the United States at the 2019 Venice Biennale. PAFA currently has 25 works by the 77-year old African American artist and sculptor in its permanent collection, including 23…
An art education at PAFA can begin long before students enroll. For students looking to strengthen their art practice, PAFA’s Summer Academy offers high schoolers a five-week, college-level art-making experience. Many students see Summer Academy as the opportunity to "try out" art school or an art…
Growing up in the New York City area, MFA student Melanie Delach thought she already was where she needed to be as an artist. But her undergraduate professors encouraged her to branch out. Now about to enter her second year in the MFA program, Delach spoke about how a change of scenery has impacted…
The Currents summer studio residency program, hosted by the graduate program at PAFA, provides an intensive summer learning opportunity for rising undergraduate seniors. Thalia Hernandez, who is attending this year's Currents program, was attracted to the residency because of its unique location of…
PAFA mourns the loss of H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, 88, the philanthropist and civic leader, who died Sunday morning. Gerry and his wife, Marguerite, have been longstanding leaders within the PAFA community and since 2002 Marguerite has served as a member of the Board of Trustees.
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…
Perspectives
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.
