The 1876 National Historic Landmark building at Broad and Cherry Streets, designed by Frank Furness and George W. Hewitt, houses works by leading American artists as well as those by distinguished alumni and faculty. The grand stair hall - decorated with gold leaf, silver stars, detailed carvings and bronze ornaments - transports visitors into an elegant world, where nearly 1,800 paintings as well as sculptures and works on paper will satisfy even the most voracious appetite for art.
Important early PAFA acquisitions include paintings by Benjamin West, a native Pennsylvanian and president of the Royal Academy in London. Today, a large collection of work by contemporary American artists includes Lichtenstein, Bartlett, Stella, Diebenkorn and Katz. A recent gift of 10 important pieces includes those by Cassatt, O'Keefe, Dove and Marsh; nine of these works are now on permanent display in the new Vivian O. and Meyer P. Potamkin Gallery.
While enjoying a packed lunch or one purchased in PAFA's café, visitors will also find creative nourishment during weekly discussions by artists and scholars illuminating American art and culture. Every Wednesday from 12 to 1 p.m., free "Art-at-Lunch" lectures and seminars are held in the Hamilton Auditorium of the Historic Landmark Building.
On Wednesday, Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute, will discuss PAFA's exhibition "Space Is the Place," and the overlap between art and science; during the presentation, he will show images of space inspiring both artists and scientists. The exhibit, on view until Dec. 30, focuses on space exploration and its history - shown in paintings, works on paper, and sound and video works created during the past 10 years by international contemporary artists.
On Nov. 14, "The City from Sloan's Perspective" will feature Joyce Schiller, curator of American Art at the Delaware Art Museum. The exhibition "Seeing the City: Sloan's New York" will be displayed at the Delaware Art Museum until Jan. 20. During her talk, Ms. Schiller will discuss Mr. Sloan's rendering of New York City, where he moved in 1904, and his influential experiences walking around Philadelphia's Center City.
On Thursdays at 11:30 a.m., PAFA also offers a free Visiting Artist Lecture Series. On Thursday, Sophie Jodoin - a Canadian figurative painter using oil, acrylic, charcoal and conte - will discuss her work, which captures the vulnerable side of humanity. On Nov. 15, the graffiti writer and Overbrook-born-and-raised artist from Philadelphia will comment on his work about contemporary life in "Steve Powers: The Magic Word," which will be exhibited until Jan. 27.
While visiting PAFA, art enthusiasts will also appreciate the opportunity to see "Out of the Chateau: Works from the Demuth Museum" until Dec. 9. This first touring exhibition of the permanent collection from the Demuth Museum in Lancaster includes 34 watercolor and oil works by modernist and PAFA alumnus Charles Demuth. The city of Lancaster, where the artist created most of his work until his death in 1935, provided both creative inspiration and a personal refuge.
In conjunction with Philadelphia's First Friday celebration each month, PAFA schedules a full slate of special activities and remains open into the evening. On Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum galleries are open (regular admission fee; free to members). From 3 to 5 p.m., the Office of Admissions sponsors a graduate portfolio review and tour of the School of Fine Arts; reservations are required. From 5 to 7 p.m., hours are extended for First Friday (free admission, free munchies and music and cash bar); special discounts will be offered for members in the museum shop. From 5:30 to 7 p.m., The 14th Annual Academy Print Sale will feature cards, etchings, lithographs, stamp prints and woodcuts by PAFA students in the print shop; faculty members will demonstrate various printmaking techniques.
In addition to these events, visitors will have the special opportunity to see "The Gross Clinic" by Thomas Eakins - an important American painting that made headlines during its recent sale. In 1878, Thomas Jefferson University alumni purchased the 1875 masterpiece for $200 and gave the painting to the institution, where it was exhibited previously. Last November, the medical college planned to sell the work for $68 million to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark., scheduled to open in 2009. After a public outcry to keep the painting in Philadelphia and sweeping fundraising effort - including donations from more than 3,400 individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American soldiers in Iraq and key foundations - PAFA and the Philadelphia Museum of Art now jointly own the painting.
PAFA's docent-led tours are offered on Tuesday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 1:45 p.m. Private tours of both the permanent collection and special exhibitions also may be scheduled for groups of adults and students on both weekdays and weekends. The Academy Visit Program offers students a creative way to study the world while gaining an understanding and appreciation for art and artists.
For additional details about upcoming exhibits, events, lectures and weekend workshops, visit www.pafa.org.
Andrea K. Hammer is the founder and director of Artsphoria: Celebrating Arts Euphoria (www.artsphoria.com).