Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4p.m.
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt
Six-Week Condensed Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

Modeling the portrait in clay is a foundational skill of traditional sculpture. Working from a model, learn to create a portrait from composition to completed sculpture. Instruction for this uniquely comprehensive course will encompass learning to build an armature, modeling the form in clay, and casting in plaster to preserve the finished artwork. Topics of study will include proportion, composition, structure, and simplified sculptural form. 

This class consists of six meetings, which will be divided as follows: 

Week 1: Armature Construction/Demo/Modeling 

Weeks 2 - 4: Clay Modeling 

Weeks 5 - 6: Plaster Casting 

Student Learning Outcomes

• Gain a basic understanding of the osteology, myology, and morphology of the head

• Analyze and organize the various forms of the head and neck into simplified sculptural forms

• Understand various techniques for creating a “likeness” of the sitter

• Carry out best practices for modeling and maintaining water-based clay sculpture

• Understand and execute basic plaster casting techniques

Note: Course tuition includes a $50 model fee. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $745 (including models fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by: July 2
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Wednesdays, 1 - 3 p.m. (Zoom with Posted Canvas Content)
Instructor: Erlin Geffrard
Six-Week Short Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Art isn’t just a practice—it’s a habit. This course encourages students to integrate creativity into their daily lives through structured exercises, prompts, and discussions on process over perfection. By studying artistic practices from different historic periods, we will examine how artists across time have incorporated daily rituals into their work. Students will also explore a range of materials and techniques, allowing them to experiment and develop their own creative routines. Whether you’re returning to art after a long break or looking to establish a new creative habit, this course provides the tools and inspiration to make art a fulfilling and sustainable part of everyday life.

Key Topics:

• Overcoming creative blocks and self-doubt

• Examining artistic routines and rituals from different time periods

• Experimenting with a variety of materials and techniques

• The role of repetition and improvisation in art-making

• Developing a personal creative philosophy

Register by: July 2
Materials List - Coming Soon!
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

The simple pencil is an economical medium readily accessible to students at all levels, including beginners. It can produce drawings that range from poetic delicacy to energetic and bold expressiveness. Working from still life arrangements, interiors, window views, and PAFA’s cast collection, students will explore a variety of approaches for using pencil to shade and model form convincingly and with beauty. Instruction will review basic drawing principles and observational skills such as evaluating shape, gauging proportions, and employing perspective effects like foreshortening. Previous drawing experience is recommended but not required.

Register by: July 2
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Tuesdays, 6 – 8 p.m. (Zoom with Posted Canvas Content)
Instructor: Deon Robinson
Six-Week Short Course (18-Hour Equivalent)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Charcoal is one of the most common yet versatile drawing mediums, used to create both delicate and dramatic effects – perfect for portraiture. Work from photo sources, family/friends, or yourself as self-portrait subject to learn fine art principles and methodology to gain a comprehensive understanding of the head structure, proportions, and features toward achieving both a likeness and aesthetic effect. Explore additive and subtractive techniques for different types of charcoal implements to promote its malleability and capacity for rich value and contrast. All levels welcome. 

Register by: July 2
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Six-Week Condensed Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

Paint portraits from a variety of models using the direct painting method. Examine the proportions and volumes of the head, as well as the placement, structure, and characteristics of the facial features, through preliminary drawings and demonstrations. Develop color using a limited palette to understand how to use chroma, temperature, value, tint, and tone. Instruction will address materials, composition, paint handling, and color mixing, blending, and theory. Homework assignments working from photos, Masterworks, or oneself/others will encourage students to learn to make personal aesthetic and technical choices and to practice concepts addressed in class. Open to all levels, this course is excellent for beginners as well as experienced students who want to review fundamental techniques or who simply enjoy painting portraits from life. Note: Course tuition includes a $75 model fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $770 (including models fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Instructor: Rosae Reeder
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Bookbinding requires simple tools, is easily portable, and does not require a shop or studio, making it ideal for any artist working from home or in a personal studio space. This six-week course will explore how to make beautiful and durable bound artist books through a variety of techniques. No matter what your skill level, this live Zoom course will introduce students to basic and intermediate book structures which include pamphlet, expandable album, and single-, double-, and triple-section sewn books as well as codex structures. Discussion of the elements of artist books and detailed weekly instruction will enable participants to make their own artist books outside of class time and beyond the course.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 
Information for PAFA CE Online Courses

Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 
Instructor: Anthony Ciambella 
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Mixed media art and collage offer a myriad of possibilities to combine papers, photographs, and 3D elements to make a statement, convey something personal, or create something textural, colorful, and beautiful. Develop rich and complex imagery finding inspiration from memory, literature, films, and other sources, while working in a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional materials. Sessions will discuss the characteristics of adhesives, paper and fabric cut-outs, wood, and plastics. Students will receive one-on-one instruction and participate in open discussions about their ideas and work. Topics include construction, storage and presentation strategies. Open to all levels.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 6 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: Frederic Kaplan 
Four-Week Short Course (10Hours) 
Credit: Non-Credit Only 
Includes Rain Date: August 7

Learn to paint the unique effects of evening light and activity of Center City and University City, Philadelphia. Discover techniques for managing the shifting light and shadows of the setting sun as it plays across the city’s historic architecture. This plein air option is perfect for summer painting, allowing artists to take advantage of cooling evening temperatures and the subtle or dramatic palette of sunset and dusk. Previous painting experience required. Restrooms near all locations. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.

Register by: July 3
Materials List
Summer 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies