PAFA’s Party on the Plaza Celebrates Opening of Lenfest Plaza

www.pafa.org/lenfestplaza

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) will welcome the public to the official opening of Lenfest Plaza with PAFA’s Party on the Plaza. The celebration will feature a full day of activities for the entire community, including a family-focused arts festival, live music, food vendors, a dance party and much more. The highlight of the event will be the inaugural sunset lighting of Paint Torch, the towering 51-foot illuminated paintbrush sculpture by world-renowned artist Claes Oldenburg. PAFA’s Party on the Plaza will kick off with the Family Arts Festival from noon – 5 p.m. Families are invited to participate in free, kid-friendly art activities and other entertainment throughout the afternoon. Entertainment includes guest appearances by Kathy O’Connell from WXPN’s Kids Corner and a performance by The Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale. There also will be a variety of food vendors on-site throughout the day. In its efforts to welcome the widest possible audience, PAFA will open its doors until 5 p.m., offering complimentary admission and museum tours of its outstanding collection of American art in the Historic Landmark Building. The Enlightenment, a sunset lighting ceremony, will begin at 6:30 p.m. As evening descends, visitors are invited to witness the inaugural lighting of Claes Oldenburg’s Paint Torch and the unveiling of Grumman Greenhouse by PAFA alumnus and Philadelphia artist Jordan Griska. Tilting at a daring 60-degree diagonal position, Paint Torch welcomes the public to Lenfest Plaza, marking the beginning of Philadelphia’s Museum Mile. The addition of this latest Oldenburg work makes Philadelphia home to four large-scale public sculptures by the artist, more than any other city in the world. Scheduled guests at the lighting ceremony include Marguerite and H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest, The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, and artist Claes Oldenburg, as well as other dignitaries. The Torch Club, a patron cocktail reception and dinner inside PAFA’s Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building will kick off later that evening. From 7- 10 p.m., guests can enjoy cocktails and dinner at the Patron level at $175 per ticket, or at the Benefactor level at $250 per ticket. PAFA’s Party on the Plaza will conclude with an After Hours Dance Party from 9:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. The party will feature a DJ, late night food trucks and a cash bar. Tickets must be purchased in advance through givezooks and reservations are limited. Additional event information and up-to-date details on the construction of the plaza can be found online at www.pafa.org/lenfestplaza. To order tickets, or for more information contact Erin Herz, Director of Development Events, at 215-972-2103 or eherz@pafa.org.