Since 1994, PAFA has provided students (grades 9-12) from more than 50 public, charter and parochial schools in Philadelphia with access to studio art training. The program provides a solid footing in studio art for students who have little or no access to an art program.
Students in this model program follow an honors-level curriculum through foundation drawing, painting and life drawing in the great traditions of American art set by Thomas Eakins in PAFA’s historic studios. The program emphasizes building a portfolio, developing skills and artistic growth. Classes are taught by PAFA faculty and graduate students.
Schedule
Courses are offered during fall and spring semesters (14 weeks each) and take place weekdays after school, 3-5:30 pm. The fall program starts October 1, 2012.
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Introduction to Illustration (Mondays) – This class will introduce the students to the traditions and practices of illustration, particularly image development, story boarding and the graphic novel. Illustration techniques including marker, pen and ink, and color will be presented in a series of activities. Students will use traditional imagery, photo reference, and personal narratives as a source for their illustrations.
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Oil Painting (Tuesdays) – This class presents a comprehensive introduction to painting from life with oil colors. The class will cover a variety of methods, mediums and approaches. Students will learn color, brushwork and composition while painting from still life objects, urban landscapes, and self portraits. Starting with a limited palette and small paintings, students will be guided to more complex full color paintings in larger formats.
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Foundation Drawing (Wednesdays) – Students will learn all the essential elements of drawing from observation: shape, line, form, shading, composition and expression. Students will draw from still life, skulls, skeletons, and the Academy’s historic collection of Greco-Roman and Renaissance plaster casts. Essential to all art forms, foundation drawing is a primary class for beginning students. Charcoal, pencil and pastel will be the primary materials used.
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Life Drawing (Thursdays) – Students will learn anatomy, gesture, line, shading and expression from the life model, both nude and clothed. Essential for art portfolios, students will be guided through a series of drawings in charcoal and pastel. Large-scale drawing is an exciting part of this class.
Eligibility
Schools invite students from a range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply. Choices are made based on artistic talent and potential for enrichment.
Tuition
Tuition is free, paid for by education grants.
Contact Us
For more details, or to recommend a student for the program, interested art teachers, parents or students should contact Al Gury, Director of the After-School Studio Art Program, at 215-972-2093, or David Wilson, Program Coordinator, at davidwilson@pobox.pafa.edu.
The After-School Studio Art Program is funded by grants from the Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, the Cigna Foundation, and the Robert Lehman Foundation.