Continuing Education at PAFA

Open studio access: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily, 15 weeks + Spring Break, January 13 - May 2. (No access during Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 20.) 

Critiques:  Four individual critiques, by sign-up, with selected critic.  Dates TBA (one per month, January - April). See available days/times attached to each critic.  Bonus group critique and/or group events with the adjacent/instructed Taking the Leap studio program subject to scheduling availability.   

Critics (students select ONE):  

• Jill A. Rupinski (Tuesdays, critique slots starting at 1 p.m.) 
• Peter Van Dyck (Thursdays, critique slots starting at 9 a.m.) 

Credit: Non-credit  

Maintain your studio practice and push your work to new levels amidst a thriving arts environment of classes and working degree students on PAFA’s campus – with the benefit of the expert advice of PAFA’s leading critics! Students participating in this program will pursue their own independent work under the focused guidance of one critic, PAFA appointed faculty Jill A. Rupinski or Peter Van Dyck (selected during registration), for one-on-one critique and discussion four times per semester (once monthly). Possible additional group critique or other opporunities may be available, pending scheduling.

Tuition for this fifteen-week/full-semester program will confer an individual studio space in PAFA’s Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building for self-guided studio time with monthly critiques from the selected faculty-critic. Studios for this program are approximately 9 x 16 feet (144 sq. ft.), white-walled, with an easel and stool provided (students are responsible for additional furniture or equipment needs). Students have two studio options (select preference during registration):  

• Studios within a group space are located side-by-side within a private, key-secured corridor for an engaging community atmosphere. Each space is curtained (no individually locked doors), opening out to the corridor’s large east-facing windows for the benefit of abundant natural light. 
  
  
• Interior studios spaces (not located along PAFA’s windowed exterior walls) offer increased privacy with individual lockable doors, without natural light. FULL -- Option not available at this time.
  

This studio-rental program is designed for experienced visual artists and alumni who can work independently and will benefit from constructive feedback on their artwork. For students needing more guidance in their individual studio practice or anyone preferring a format of weekly interaction, artistic prompts, and increased community support, PAFA’s alternative CE studio rental program, Taking the Leap to Start and Advance Your Studio Practice (with Instruction), is a great option with benefits designed to launch your studio practice!  

Note: Registration requires an additional $200 studio deposit that is refundable upon satisfactory return of the studio to its original condition at the end of the program. Students must agree to and sign PAFA’s studio agreement form. Membership and early registration discounts cannot be applied to course tuition. 

Image: Peter Van Dyck

Registration Deadline: Rolling, on a space-available basis. Late registration (after program start date) available. 

Materials List (PAFA-Approved Materials) 

Winter/Spring 2025 CE Policy Guide, including withdrawal/refund policies.  *Please note: A minimum 10% fee applies to cancellations any time after registration, including same day, to cover third-party processing charges -- please check your schedule before registering!