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, 12:30 – 4 p.m.
Instructor: Pavel Efremoff 
Twelve-Week Condensed Course (42 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)
Note: No class on November 27

Foundry metal casting is the process of creating metal objects by pouring molten metal into a mold and letting it cool to solidify. This course will cover all aspects of the foundry process with an emphasis on mold making as an essential element of a sculptor’s toolkit for both bronze casting and creating objects in multiples. Demonstrations and hands-on instruction will be given in wax modeling and casting, ceramic shell techniques, bronze pouring, metal chasing, TIG welding and patination. Course content will include step-by-step guidance in mold making production as students apply this process to their own projects. This class presents integral skills for any sculptor and is an excellent follow-up for students who have taken a clay-modeling class and wish to preserve their work. Beginner-friendly and open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes a $75 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,070 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: Pavel Efremoff

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

Thursdays, 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Instructor: Pavel Efremoff 
Twelve-Week Condensed Course (42 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.5 Undergraduate Credits (See Below)
Note: No class on November 27

This course will cover all aspects of the foundry process. Demonstrations and hands-on instruction will be given in wax modeling and casting, ceramic shell techniques, bronze pouring, metal chasing, TIG welding and patination. All levels welcome. Note: Tuition includes a $75 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.5 undergraduate credits for $1,070 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: Pavel Efremoff

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

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Instructor: Steve Nocella 
Twelve-Week Course (36 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on November 29

Explore the possibilities of stone carving by using traditional and nontraditional methods. All processes from rough carving to polishing will be covered, and various tools and techniques will be demonstrated. Open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes $30 lab fee.

Learning Objectives 

• Develop proficiency in basic tool use including manual carving, pneumatic carving, sawing, grinding, and sanding.

• Learn the methods of stone carving beginning with "roughing out" a form and finishing with sanding and polishing.

• Develop a perceptual ability for spatial relationships of the elements that constitute a sculpture or a three-dimensional image.

• Learn to use creative and critical thinking in the process of carving sculpture.

• Gain an appreciation for the influence and informing effect that medium and process have on image making.

• Acquire an introductory understanding of the history of stone carving and the capacity to conceptualize context for the student's sculpture.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $725 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: CE Student Alan Miller.

Register by: September 5 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Friday - Sunday, 9 a.m. – 4p.m.
Instructor: Morgan Dummitt 
Three-Day Weekend Workshop
Credit: Non-Credit Only

Sculptors from Ancient Greece to Michelangelo have recognized the centrality of the torso for creating dynamic figure sculptures. This condensed class will focus intensely on the anatomy, structure, and proportions of the torso. Students will complete a half life-sized torso in clay. Perfect for beginners or for experienced students wishing to bring renewed vitality to their figurative work in any media. Work will be done in terracotta and fired after class.  Tuition includes a $35 models fee.

Learning Outcomes

Students in this class will:

• Gain a thorough understanding of the interaction of the ribcage and pelvis as theyinform the torso

• Understand simplified form conceptions of the major masses of the body

• Learn the basic structure, anatomy and proportions of the torso

• Learn best practices for building and firing sculpture in clay

Image: Morgan Dummitt, Torso Fragments.

Register by: September 12 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Saturdays, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Instructor: Steve Nocella 
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)
Note: No class on November 29

This ten-week course teaches the basic skills needed for making metal sculpture. Learn fundamental methods of cutting, bending and welding metal such as sawing, heating, and MIG welding. Students will be encouraged to explore the medium with directness and spontaneity to gain a knowledge and understanding of its complexion. Open to all levels. Note: Tuition includes a $65 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $660 (including lab fee). Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: CE Student Molly Patterson.

Register by: September 12 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Tuesdays, 6 - 9 p.m.
Instructor: Marguerita Hagan
Ten-Week Course (30 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit or 1.0 Undergraduate Credit (See Below)

Explore a custom sculpture experience in clay with veteran ceramicist, Marguerita Hagan. Learn various hand-building processes with an emphasis on abstraction. Create work that is either wall-hanging or free-standing, focused on 3D qualities or surface treatments, or both. Whatever you imagine will be supported with experienced individualized attention and specific hand-building and painting techniques to manifest your intention. Gain exposure not only to hand-building directions but also to many surface treatment methods including airbrush, underglaze paints, pencils, masking, resist, glaze, overglaze lusters, and waterslide and rice paper transfer decals. Instruction will be tailored to serve the individual whether for learning basic hand-building methods or realizing a work or series. Come with no experience or translate your existing practice into the transformative language of clay. Note: Tuition includes a $30 lab fee.

Optional: This course is available for 1.0 undergraduate credit for $625, including lab fee. Select credit option with price adjustment when registering.

Image: Marguerita Hagan

Register by: September 23 
Materials List 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies

Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 
Instructor: John Greig
Six-Week Short Course (18 Hours)
Credit: Non-Credit Only
Note: No class on November 26

This class will explore wood as a primary art-making medium, looking at its many types, techniques and uses. Students will develop a well-rounded foundation of wood-working skills including cutting, milling, laminating, joinery and safe use of wood-working tools. Contemporary, traditional and ancient art works made of wood will be presented for historical and contextual understanding. Students will be encouraged to find their own unique voice within the material while building skills. Tuition includes $30 materials fee.

Image: John Greig

Register by: October 22 
Materials List - Coming Soon! 
Fall 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies