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Art for Adults

Discover the Art of Summer

Registration for our summer courses and walking tours is now open. 

Click here to view Art of Architecture and Fountains of Philadelphia summer walking tour details and to register online.

Click here to view Learning to See: An Introduction course details and to register online.  Summer venues are the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and Abington Art Center.
 

Do you ever wonder what to look for when viewing a painting? Do you wonder what idea the artist was trying to convey? Our courses take the focus off of the subject and show you how to look at art objectively. We will explore the qualities and techniques used by artists to make something a true 'work of art'. Our experienced group of instructors will lead you on a journey that will end with you seeing art (in museums or in your own backyard) in a whole new way. We offer classes for all levels of experience.  Below you will find a complete listing of programming that we offer throughout the year.   Be sure to sign up for E-news to receive notification of open enrollment and new course listings.

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Special Topics Talks & Courses

Special Topics Talks & Courses are appropriate for every level of experience with no required prerequisites. Special topic courses are ever changing, and vary in topic, length and requirements.

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Introductory Courses

Introductory Courses meet for 6 to 12 sessions at convenient locations throughout the Delaware Valley.   These classes will introduce you to our objective approach to the arts in a fun and informal setting.

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Walking Tours of Philadelphia

Walking Tours of Philadelphia are tours on various subjects, including architecture and sculpture. These two-hour tours are appropriate for everyone and most require a very modest amount of exertion. Click ‘view’ to see specific locations, dates and prices.

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Part I: Informed Perception

*Part I: Informed Perception is open to any dedicated student and designed to be the first course of three in our core curriculum.  Offered at premium locations and/or for college credit, these classes provide highly motivated students the opportunity to challenge themselves through a rigorous emersion in our objective approach to the arts.  This course,  Part II: Traditions in the Arts and Part III: Seminar are designed to be taken consecutively under the de Mazia Certificate Program.

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Part II: The Traditions in Art

*Part II: Traditions in Art takes the method and concepts learned in the prerequisite course Part I: Informed Perception and applies this knowledge to the development of the arts through time.  The Traditions typically meets for three hours once a week for fourteen weeks.  This course is the second in our three part Certificate Program. 

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Part III: Seminar & Advanced Studies

*Part III: Seminar is the final course in our core curriculum and explores in depth a selected topic, artist, tradition, or theme. Successful completion of Part I and Part II are prerequisites. Students should expect written assignments and papers and required readings. Students successfully completing a Seminar course are eligible to earn a Certificate of Completion from the Violette de Mazia Foundation.

 

*Courses are part of our three-part Certificate Program and are designed to be taken sequentially.

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