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Imagine America in 1805.
At this point, the United States – all 17 of them – had established a working constitution and were pioneering a democratic system of government. The country celebrated its 29th year and was entering adulthood. Americans not only asked themselves how to build a nation, but also how to cultivate it.
“We look at the landscape and say, ‘Well, what’s missing?’” said Brittany Lewis, PAFA’s director of education and community engagement. “How are you going to protect art and culture? We will not only need a museum, but we will need a school so that we can create works of art that will hang in the museum.”
Artists such as painter and scientist Charles Willson Peale and sculptor William Rush joined forces. They founded the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, a space created by creators for creatives.
“At the time, Charles Willson Peale was thinking, ‘I’m an artist and I know it’s important for America to embrace our heritage, so I’m going to start doing that,’” Lewis said. “When I’m in a historic building, in our rotunda in front of Peale’s – in his museum – I explain to our guests that this is an innovation.”
“It’s Peale who says we need a museum in the United States, so I’m going to create one here in Old Town.”
Since its inception, PAFA has paved the way for future world-renowned institutions in our country, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. PAFA recently partnered with PMA to host a major centennial event, “A Nation of Artists,” showcasing great works by American artists over the last 250 years. The exhibition includes loaned works of art from The Middleton Family Collection, including: Painting “Flag” by Jasper Johns.
“I hope the people of Philadelphia remember that just because we’re first doesn’t mean we’re first,” Lewis said. “I need the community to come visit us, see ‘A Nation of Artists,’ and look at it not as an exclamation point, but as a question mark. “What is American Art?”
To celebrate PAFA’s achievements, the academy is hosting a “Firstival” event this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate its status as the “first” art school in the country. Attendees can view painted sculpture #1 by PAFA alumnus Jon Laidacker and tour the museum. There will also be arts and crafts activities in which guests can take part.
“We will be doing tours of A Nation of Artists so you can see the exhibit,” Lewis said. “Our guides will be there. It is family warm. Pay what you want and juvenile people can make art to go, so there’s something for everyone at every age.”
Lewis also encourages Philadelphians to learn about PAFA’s educational programs.
“We are also a school,” she added. “So tell your friend we have our certificate program. We have youth classes and even [adults] I can come and take a printmaking class to a sculpture, anything you want.
Below you will find BP’s full guide to all this year’s Firstivals.
Completed
Week 1: Successful Balloon Flight in America (1793)
Week 2: Mummers Parade, the country’s first folk parade (1901)
Week 3: Volunteer Fire Department (1736)
Week 4: Professional Basketball League (1898)
Week 5: Public sale of Girl Scout cookies (1932)
Week 6: African Methodist Episcopal Congregation (1794)
Week 7: Abolitionist Society in America (1775)
Week 8: Authentic Chinese Gate Built in America (1984)
Week 9: Public Protest Against Slavery in America (1688)
Week 10: Flower Show (1829)
Week 11: Women’s Medical College (1850)
Week 12: Matches (1892)
Week 13: Medical School (1765)
Week 14: The Stadium (1895)
Week 15: Circus Performance (1793)
Week 16: Botanical Garden (1728)
Week 17: Postmaster (1737)
Week 18: American-made piano and sousaphone (1775 and 1893)
Week 19: Mother’s Day (1908)
Week 20: Hospital in America (1751)
Week 21: World’s Fair on American soil (1876)
Week 22: Steamer for carrying passengers and cargo (1787)
Week 23: The American Flag (1777)
Week 24: American Army (1775)
Week 25: Annual Reminder Demonstration (1965)
Week 26: Paper Manufacturer in America (1690)
Week 27: Bank of the United States (1791)
Week 28: Organized Baseball Team (1831)
Week 29: Ice Soda (October 1874)
Upcoming
• American Art School (1805)
July 25, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St.
• Scientific Society of Natural History (1812)
Aug. 1 at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• The Zoo of America (1874)
Aug. 8, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.
• US Mint (1793)
August 15 (location to be determined)
• Selfie (1839)
August 22, Love Park, 1501 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
• Slinky (1943)
August 29, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Signing of the Constitution (1787)
September 5, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.
• Continental Congress (1774)
September 12 at Carpenters’ Hall, 320 Chestnut St.
• Naming the United States (1776)
September 19, Independence Hall
• Ronald McDonald House (1974)
September 26, Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St.
• Prison in America (1829)
Oct. 3, East Jail, 2027 Fairmount Ave.
• First Peoples
Oct. 10, Penn Museum, 3260 South St.
• United States Navy and Marine Corps (1775)
October 17, Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St.
• Public screening of the film (1870)
October 24, Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut St.
• A newfangled detective story written (1841)
Oct. 31, Edgar Allan Poe House, 532 N. 7th St.
• America’s Thanksgiving Parade (1920)
November 7, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• University in America (1740)
November 14, Houston Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St.
• Children’s Hospital of America (1855)
Nov. 21, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Main Building, 3401 Civic Center Blvd.
• Pencil with attached eraser (1858)
November 28, National Freedom Museum, 321 Chestnut St.
• Weather office (1870)
December 5, Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.
• Electronic computer (1945)
December 12, University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut St.
• Public Lending in America (1731)
December 19, The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St.
• Philadelphia’s first dishes: cheesesteaks (1930s), water ice (1932) and bubble gum (1928)
December 26, Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St.
Editor’s note: WHY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo serves as chairman of the board of trustees of the Independence Historical Trust.
