Wednesdays, 1 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: John Horn  
Fifteen-Week Open Academy Course (45 Hours)  
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5 Undergraduate Credits (See Below) 

PAFA’s Open Academy provides the opportunity for Continuing Education (CE) and non-matriculated students to experience PAFA’s renowned certificate-level instruction on a course-by-course basis.  Earned credits are eligible for transfer to the one-year Foundation and Studio Residency Certificate Programs, for students considering an immersive fine arts education with additional benefits. (Up to 7.5 credits are eligible for transfer as equivalent courses or electives.)

Studying from birds, mammals, and reptiles, domestic and wild; this course will focus on understanding the science and art of animals with reference to their structure, function, evolution, and classifications. This will act as a foundation in order to understand the movements, forms, and anatomy of a particular species. Perspective, space and composition in landscape and interiors will also be emphasized in relationship to the animals. Working from life, students will develop a good sense of concentration to see the repetition in movement and form as the basis for drawing. Trips to the Wagner Free Institute of Science, the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Philadelphia Zoo will provide the visual material.

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,800. Select credit option with price adjustment during registration.

Image: Christian Schussele, (Studies of Animals: Horses, Cow, Dog), mid 19th century, Graphite on green-gray wove paper, 8 9/16 x 9 9/16 in. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, John S. Phillips Collection, 1876.9.625 

Register by: August 26 
Materials List   
Open Academy Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. (includes option to add afternoons, 1 - 4 p.m., for full-day attendance-- see description) 
Instructor: John Horn  
Fifteen-Week Open Academy Course (45 - 90 Hours)  
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5/3.0 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)   
Note: No class on November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)

PAFA’s Open Academy provides the opportunity for Continuing Education (CE) and non-matriculated students to experience PAFA’s renowned certificate-level instruction on a course-by-course basis.  Earned credits are eligible for transfer to the one-year Foundation and Studio Residency Certificate Programs, for students considering an immersive fine arts education with additional benefits. (Up to 7.5 credits are eligible for transfer as equivalent courses or electives.)

Open Studio is a comprehensive figure-based clay modeling class, designed to build on prior figure studies by focusing on anatomy and proportion, with additional emphasis on the crucial elements of gesture and rhythm, spontaneity, and spirit. Students will be encouraged to work in a variety of sizes, and outside projects should be expected. Independent study and experiment is always encouraged. This course offers the option of individualized instruction for advanced students. Broader topics/discussions, such as the nature and philosophy of art and the artist will be addressed.

Optional: This course is available for half-day for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,800. For the option of full-day enrollment (morning, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and afternoon, 1 - 4 p.m.), this course is available for $2,900 non-credit or $3,600 for 3.0 undergraduate credits. Select length and credit choice with tuition adjustment during checkout.

Image: John Horn

Register by: August 27 
Materials List 
Open Academy Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. (includes option to add afternoons, 1 - 4 p.m., for full-day attendance-- see description) 
Instructor: Douglas Martenson  
Fifteen-Week Open Academy Course (45 - 90 Hours)  
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5/3.0 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)   
Note: No class on November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)

PAFA’s Open Academy provides the opportunity for Continuing Education (CE) and non-matriculated students to experience PAFA’s renowned certificate-level instruction on a course-by-course basis.  Earned credits are eligible for transfer to the one-year Foundation and Studio Residency Certificate Programs, for students considering an immersive fine arts education with additional benefits. (Up to 7.5 credits are eligible for transfer as equivalent courses or electives.)

This course will address landscape enplein air as well as indoors. Varied outdoor locations such as Fairmount Park, the Philadelphia waterfront, and the city itself will be the subject of painting projects. Observation of nature and capturing the visual qualities of nature in landscape will be a focus, while at the same time exploring the visual qualities of landscape and its personal and poetic possibilities. Included will be discussions of historic and contemporary landscape painting, reference material, studio landscape painting, methods and materials and the formation of visual language and critical thinking skills. Individual and group critiques will be a regular part of the class. Limited van transportation available for full-day only (please call prior to registration if requiring this option).

Optional: This course is available for half-day for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,800. For the option of full-day (morning, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. and afternoon, 1 - 4 p.m.), this course is available for $2,900 non-credit or $3,600 for 3.0 undergraduate credits. Select length and credit choice with tuition adjustment during checkout.

Image: Douglas Martenson

Register by: August 27 
Materials List
Open Academy Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Al Gury  
Fifteen-Week Open Academy Course (45 Hours)  
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)  
Note: No class on November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)

PAFA’s Open Academy provides the opportunity for Continuing Education (CE) and non-matriculated students to experience PAFA’s renowned certificate-level instruction on a course-by-course basis.  Earned credits are eligible for transfer to the one-year Foundation and Studio Residency Certificate Programs, for students considering an immersive fine arts education with additional benefits. (Up to 7.5 credits are eligible for transfer as equivalent courses or electives.)

Figure Drawing will focus on developing skills and exploring the use of the figure with the following concepts: (1) structural and anatomical delineation of human form with line and tone. (2) The figure as an expressive end in itself. (3) Simple group compositions in interior as well as invented space. The class is open to various media & techniques. 

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,800. Select credit option with price adjustment during registration.

Image: Al Gury

Register by: August 27 
Materials List
Open Academy Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on October 2 and November 27

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 lab fee. Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Register by: September 4 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Instructor: Joseph Sweeney 
Six-Week Short Course (24 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Combine your love of artmaking and nature through the practice of open air painting at the Haverford College Arboretum. Featuring meadows, gardens, and wooded areas, including the college’s impressive historic tree collection in autumnal colors, this scenic location is the perfect, peaceful place to learn the essentials of landscape painting. Veteran plein air artist Joe Sweeney will guide newcomers and artists of all levels through both the artistic concerns and practical matters of open air painting. Topics include the basics of working outdoors as well as the aesthetic how-tosof color mixing to achieve a sense of light and air, capturing time of day, composition fundamentals, and sound drawing and painting practices. Instruction is geared toward oil/acrylic painting and pastel drawing/painting. Restrooms and parking available. Note:  Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.

*Please reserve a rain date of October 23, should any session be postponed due to inclement weather.

Image: Joe Sweeney

Register by: September 4 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies 

Thursdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: John Horn 
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

This course will be dedicated to full- and multi-session poses focusing on the structural and aesthetic characteristics of drawing from the model. Classes will begin with brief lectures covering spatial organization, volume, proportional relationships, and anatomy. The rest of each session will focus on drawingthe life model in a variety of standing, seated, and reclining poses, with attention to measuring techniques and rendering the figure through light and shade. Examples of drawings from the Old Masters,and discussions about their approaches, will supplement instruction.Students of all levels are welcome; those with less experience can make several studies during a long pose while experienced students can develop a single drawing. Note: Tuition includes a $75 models fee.

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

Image: John Horn

Register by: September 4 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Mondays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Roberto Osti
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on October 13

Figure paintingis a foundational part of fine arts training and one of the disciplines for which PAFA is most renowned. Practice direct painting technique from the nude model in varied poses toexplore color mixing and color theory, glazing, blending, and both limited and extended palette approaches.Instruction will address gesture, proportion, anatomical landmarks, volume, and color chroma, value, and temperature. Students will examine masterworks to appreciate different styles and work toward developing their personal expression.Instruction is geared toward oil, but students may draw-only if they wish. Open to all levels.Note: Course tuition includes a $75 model fee.

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

Image: Roberto Osti

Register by: September 4 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies