academy students

Welcome Back Students!

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The Center for the Study of the American Artist would like to welcome all new students to PAFA and welcome back all returning students. Whether you are just starting or finishing up, be sure to take advantage of the Center’s services in the year ahead. Much like the amazing PAFA Faculty, the Museum staff are also here to help you grow as artists- whether you want to view a specific piece of art, need research assistance, talk about art, or even learn more about museum career possibilities.

As always, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our services. We wish you a very successful year ahead.

Intern Spotlight – Mustafa Adil Özturk!

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Contributed by: Hoang Tran, Director of Archives

Please welcome Mustafa Adil Öztürk (Adil)!

Adil is an MFA student here at PAFA. He has dreams of pursuing a PhD and wanted to gain more experience in the research process. What better way than to research PAFA’s rich history? The archives has a unique collection of student records (not protected by FERPA) that contain a wealth of information. If you examine the the student files separately, they provide rich biographical information and personal insights. Adil will be working on this inventory project for the summer to uncover some of the hidden stories of PAFA students.

Don’t forget to check out Adil’s Instagram to see some of his art!

New Acquisition! George Harding Sr. papers

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Contributed by: Hoang Tran, Director of Archives

The Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives is excited to announce the recent acquisition of George Harding Sr. papers. Harding (1882-1959), a former PAFA student and faculty member for nearly 40 years was a prominent American illustrator.

The collection includes photographs, correspondence, clippings, sketches, drawings, and diaries documenting his life as a student, war artist, illustrator and author.George Harding Sr. sketchPhotographsGeorge Harding Sr. diary, 1951

Unhidden Collections – PAFA’S Historical Art Books!

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Contributed by: Hoang Tran, Director of Archives

Forgotten in the basement of the Historic Landmark Building, PAFA had a “hidden” collection of art books. We describe them as hidden because we do not have an accurate inventory or catalog of what is in the collection. Folklore has it that part of the special collection included the donation of Joseph Bonparte’s library in the early 19th century. How can we confirm this folklore? The only way to uncover this mystery is to conduct an inventory and cataloging project.

The archives was lucky enough to have two interns for the summer to help out with the project. Ellie Blackman (PAFA/UPenn BFA) and Yoni Newman (PAFA MFA) were able to complete the project. There were some unique finds such as Henry O. Tanner’s annotated Paris Salon Catalogues and bound volumes of prints by Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

You can browse the special collection here.

New Acquisition! The Giuseppe Donato collection

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Contributed by: Hoang Tran, Director of Archives

The Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives is excited to announce the recent acquisition of the Giuseppe Donato collection. Donato (1881-1965) studied at PAFA from 1897 to 1903. After completing his training at PAFA, he traveled to Paris to study under the great sculptor Auguste Rodin. Returning to America, he had many public art commissions including the west pediment of the1940 Philadelphia Municipal Court and a statue completed in 1946 of Thomas Fitzsimmons, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution, which stands today in Philadelphia’s Logan Square.

The collection provides comprehensive documentation of Giuseppe Donato’s career as a sculptor from 1897-1965. Black and white photographs make up the bulk of the collection but correspondence and clippings also provide contextual information to Donato’s sculpture projects throughout his career.

Researchers can view the finding aid here.