Cool Comes to PAFA - Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

Women’s Board Events Highlight Exhibitions
The Women’s Board Preview Party on May 7 kicked off
the 108th Annual Student Exhibition. Presented by Bollinger
Insurance with additional support provided by Sandcastle
Strategy Group, the Preview Party benefited student scholarships
at PAFA. Preview Party Co-chairs were Christine H.
Berrettini and Alicia A. Sterling. This festive event offered
guests the first chance to view and purchase more than 1,000
paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and installations created
by Academy students on the verge of their professional
careers. Featured guest Mayor Michael A. Nutter addressed
the students and guests, expressing his support for PAFA and
the arts in Philadelphia. Underwritten by the Women’s Board,
the Annual Student Exhibition featured works by Bachelor of
Fine Arts students, third- and fourth-year Certificate program
students, and Master of Fine Arts students, as well as award
recipients. More than $160,000 in scholarship and travel
funding was granted to students this year. Included in these
awards were the prestigious Cresson, Scheidt, Ware Memorial,
and Women’s Board Travel Scholarships.
On June 25, the Women’s Board preview party, Opposites
Attract, launched the opening of two complementary solo
exhibitions, Sidney Goodman: Man in the Mirror and Elizabeth
Osborne: The Color of Light. Both artists are Philadelphia
residents and members of the PAFA faculty. This event, sponsored
by The Haverford Trust Company to benefit the School
at PAFA, was organized by Chair Susan Eaton Guill assisted
by Women’s Board members Ana Maria Keene, Julie Jensen
Bryan and Mary MacGregor Mather, as well as Dolores Curtis.
Honorary Chairs were Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Mrs. Lisa
J. Nutter.
The preview party for Man in the Mirror and The Color of
Light was the first opportunity to view many of these works
and to meet the artists prior to the public opening. Since the
1960s, Goodman has played a significant role in maintaining
the vitality of figurative art in the United States. A full professor
of painting at PAFA since 1978, Goodman has had a profound
effect upon his students, many of whom, like Bo Bartlett and
Trustee Steve L. Sanders Leads Steering
Committee for Hendricks Exhibition
In addition to a 24-year background in financial services,
PAFA Trustee Steve Sanders has always been deeply dedicated
to community involvement. To that end, Sanders has
recently accepted the role as Chairman of the steering committee
for PAFA’s forthcoming exhibition, Barkley L. Hendricks:
Birth of the Cool and answered these questions for Preview
about his interest in the artist and the committee’s efforts.
Prior to being invited to chair the Barkley L.
Hendricks: Birth of the Cool steering committee, were
you previously familiar with Barkley Hendricks’ work?
I was somewhat familiar with Hendricks’ work. As an entrepreneur,
the creative process that drives and motivates artists
has always intrigued me, and when I was exposed to more of
Hendricks’ art, my curiosity was stoked further.
What are your impressions and thoughts regarding
Hendricks’ work?
Hendricks’ works to me are timeless and make a significant
impact. His works speak of and from an era that continues to
quietly yet powerfully shape the definition of cool for many.
Why did you elect to become involved in the
steering committee?
I enjoy art much like a great meal, fine wine, enlightening
book or inspiring speech. Each leaves an impression, an imprint
on one’s desire to inspire and dig within to tap into
that source that helps us create.
What are your goals for the committee?
My goals for the committee are: 1) To work together to
offer this wonderful exhibition; 2) To provide an opportunity
for people of various backgrounds in the Philadelphia area to
enjoy Hendricks’ art and what it says; and 3) To acquaint new
visitors to the rich history of PAFA and all that it has to offer.
Photo: Patty Castner
Opposites Attract: (From left to right) Ana Maria Keene, Women’s
Board Member and Committee Member, Julia B. DeMoss,
President of the Women’s Board, Susan H. Guill, Chair, Alicia
A. Sterling, Women’s Board Member
Vincent Desiderio, have gone on to develop national reputations.
For over forty years, Osborne has been one of the most
innovative and daring artists working in Philadelphia. Osborne
studied at PAFA from 1954 to 1958 and has been a faculty
member since 1963. She has taught hundreds of aspiring
artists who have gone on to make their mark on the national
scene, including Barry Goldberg, Sarah McEneaney, and
many others.
USArtists is coming home to PAFA in 2010. The 18th
USArtists American Fine Art Show will be held October 1 - 3,
2010 in the Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building at 128 North Broad
Street. The Preview Gala will be Thursday, September 30. This
is an exciting change of location for USArtists, and the Women’s
Board event chairs, Diana H. Bittel, Connie Kay, Sandra L.
Nesbitt, Elizabeth O’Connell, and Alicia A. Sterling, are working
with PAFA to create the best show yet. For more information,
please contact the Women’s Board office at 215-972-7639.
What potential result
of the committee’s
work are you most
excited about
achieving?
The multi-cultural
and multi-generational
aspects of an exhibition
such as Birth of the Cool
on display at an institution of PAFA’s renown is a tremendous
opportunity for people from various walks of life to celebrate
a world famous homegrown talent. Through this exhibition we
will open minds and hearts as well as break a few traditional
barriers. We will introduce the art of “cool” to many.
Why do you feel it is important to help promote
Hendricks’ work to a broader audience?
Many people think art is untouchable or beyond their reach.
Whether these hurdles are economic, racial or driven by age
or gender, art can speak to many people in different ways. In
this fast-paced world of ours, it is important to note that art
can also listen, it quiets the mind. We need more exposure to
art for a broader audience to continue to grow and appreciate
our differences. Art enables us to see beyond our own neighborhoods
and biases. It provides new perspectives.
How do you think the exhibition and its spectrum of
programs will impact PAFA and its place in
Philadelphia’s cultural community?
The exhibition will have a positive impact on PAFA in two
ways: First, it will serve as a clarion call to many people in the
area that art is and can be cool; and secondly, it will introduce
the majesty and rich history of PAFA to thousands of new
visitors.
PAFA welcomes new members
to its Board of Trustees:
Frances Maguire is a PAFA alumna and a former Women’s
Board Volunteer. Through the Maguire Foundation,
Frannie and husband James have pledged $2,000,000 to
name the Hamilton Building Foyer in honor of the PAFA
faculty.
Carole Price Shanis is an internationally known interior
designer, and is the President of the Board of the Art
Alliance. She also serves on the Board of the Kimmel
Center, MANNA (Metropolitan AIDS Neighborhood Nutrition
Alliance), the Philadelphia Orchestra, and WHYY, Inc.
She is a former board member of the Pennsylvania Ballet
and has been honored with an Individual Leadership
Award by the Philadelphia Arts and Business Council.
Gary P. Steuer is Chief Cultural Officer for the City of
Philadelphia, directing the newly created Office of Arts,
Culture and the Creative Economy, appointed by Mayor
Michael Nutter. Steuer has written, lectured, and taught
extensively on arts management and policy issues. He
has served on many boards of directors, and funding and
advisory panels for local, statewide, and national
organizations.
Ahmeenah Young is President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A native
of Philadelphia, Young is currently on or has served on
the boards of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors
Bureau’s Multi-Cultural Affairs Congress, African American
Museum of Philadelphia, The Center City District, and
many other organizations.
PAFA welcomes back former Trustees:
John A. Fry presently serves as the President of Franklin
& Marshall College. Fry recently completed his second
term as Chair of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council
and has served as one of the co-chairs for the transition
team of Governor-Elect Edward Rendell. His civic activities
include membership on numerous boards including
the Haverford School and Lancaster General Hospital.
Steven L. Sanders is CEO and Chief Investment Strategist
of StoneRidge Investment Partners and provides regular
financial advice and commentary for numerous radio
programs in Philadelphia, is the author of Money Matters
for Young Adults, and serves on several civic boards.
Barbara Sylk holds a Masters of Art Education and
Teacher Certification from the University of the Arts. She
is an art consultant and arts volunteer, and serves on
many advisory boards including the Hospital of the University
of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Advisory Board.
Returning to the Board of Trustees from emeritus
status is Max N. Berry.
Mr. Berry is an attorney specializing in international trade.
He has worked for the Department of the Treasury, U.S.
Customs, Department of the Army, and the Pentagon. He
has won numerous international service and merit awards
and has served on community, civic, and arts related
boards for over 30 years.
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