Al Gury

Al Gury is Professor of Painting and Drawing at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) in Philadelphia, where he chairs the painting department and teaches Life Painting, Life Drawing, and Portraiture in the Certificate/BFA program. He also serves as Program Director of the After-School Studio Art Program for Philadelphia High School Students, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in January 2024.

Gury specializes in figure, landscape, still life, and portrait painting, with works exhibited at the National Academy of Design in New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and National Capitol in Washington DC. His research interests focus on painting techniques, color theory, art history, and educational methodologies that integrate historical context with practical application.

Gury has established himself as a leading voice in art education through his influential publications and teaching philosophy. His work emphasizes both technical skill development and conceptual understanding, helping students grasp the historical significance behind artistic techniques.

Award highlights include:

• Cresson Travel Scholarship
• Master Teacher designation by The University of the Arts in Philadelphia
• Master Teacher designation by American Artist Magazine
• PAWS Volunteer of the Year (2015)

Beyond academia, Gury maintains an active studio practice represented by F.A.N. Gallery in Philadelphia and founded the After-School Studio Arts Program providing free art education to Philadelphia high school students. He serves as a contributing editor for Per Contra: The International Journal of the Arts, Literature and Ideas and regularly contributes to Artists and Illustrators Magazine in the UK.

Gury is deeply committed to community service through advocacy for unhoused persons, work with the Mural Arts Program, and fostering thousands of animals through PAWS. His notable community projects include creating 'Alice of Dunk's Ferry' for Christ Church in 2009 and participating in 'Lost Dreams on Canvas' painting portraits of gun violence victims.