Schedule
The Summer Academy is four weeks, July 9 - August 3, 2012. Summer Academy classes are held Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Students participate in drawing and painting on Mondays and Tuesdays; sculpture and printmaking on Thursdays and Fridays. Field trips are scheduled each Wednesday; field trip days may begin earlier and/or end later.
Curriculum
Spend each week immersed in all four disciplines, guided by PAFA’s renowned faculty. The program is available for 4.0 undergraduate credits. Students completing satisfactory coursework will earn program grades (one grade/credit per discipline) and the credits will appear on a transcript (available upon request).
Drawing
At PAFA, observational drawing skills are the foundation of all artistic endeavors and essential for a strong portfolio:
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Master the drawing elements of line, shape, composition, perspective and value to create the illusion of three-dimensional forms in convincing space.
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Work from challenging still-life arrangements, PAFA's historic cast collection, panoramic views from the Hamilton Building's rooftop terrace and figure models while exploring a variety of drawing materials.
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Visit the PAFA vaults to view rarely seen master drawings.
Download the Drawing syllabus from the 2011 Summer Academy
Painting
Work directly from the still life and figure with emphasis on articulating forms in paint:
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Learn to set up various palettes, mix colors and paint both directly and through transparent glazing and scumbling.
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Learn in depth the safe use of artists' pigments, painting mediums, brushes, painting supports and their preparation.
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Visit PAFA’s Museum collections to enhance studio instruction.
Download the Painting syllabus from the 2011 Summer Academy
Sculpture
Learn the fundamental and creative aspects of sculpture through modeling the human figure in clay from direct observation:
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Create a portrait bust based on volume, proportion, architectonic construction and spatial displacement of form.
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Study the fundamentals of anatomy, proportion and three-dimensional design.
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Learn techniques of armature construction, clay modeling, use of tools and basic elements of plaster casting.
Download the Sculpture syllabus from the 2011 Summer Academy
Printmaking
Utilize PAFA's state-of-the-art Print Shop to learn the fundamentals of printmaking, safely and creatively. Use your own drawings and ideas as inspiration to make black-and-white and color prints using hand-printing and press techniques:
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Create one-of-a-kind painterly monoprints.
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Learn traditional line etching and relief printing processes.
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Explore the creative and versatile possibilities of screenprinting.
Download the Printmaking syllabus from the 2011 Summer Academy
Field Trips
Weekly day trips expose students to both historical artworks as well as the contemporary art scene in Philadelphia, New York and Washington, D.C. Past museum visits have included the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, P.S.1, National Gallery and Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Students also tour contemporary gallery districts and visit artists' private studios.
Student Exhibition
The program concludes with a student exhibition in PAFA's Gallery 128, which showcases the work of PAFA faculty and students. An reception and rewards ceremony on Friday evening, August 3, allows family and friends to see an array of work produced in the program, meet the Summer Academy faculty and other students in the program, and to view the school facilities.