Collaborative exhibition, "A Nation of Artists," on view now at PAFA and PMA

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- "A Nation of Artists: American Art at 250" is a spectacular presentation celebrating the country's creative history.

"It's a collaboration between our museum, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, alongside the Middleton Family Collection, which is a private collection of really just masterworks of American art," says Leah Triplett, Co-Curator of "A Nation of Artists" for the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA).

"We really wanted to share it in Philadelphia. The semi quincentennial seemed to be the right moment to do that," says John Middleton, Managing Partner & CEO of the Philadelphia Phillies. "I was an art guy before I was a baseball guy."

More than 1,000 works are on view across both museums.

"We have about 283 works of art in our main galleries," says Triplett. "We have five themes telling the story of American art. They're emphasizing the artist's voice throughout."

In the 'Geometry, Industry and the Modern Imagination' section at PAFA, there is a work on view by Joan Mitchell from the Middleton Family Collection.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art's exhibition is chronological, spanning two floors.

"The American art galleries begin at about 1650, and they now go through about 1960," says Alexandra Kirtley, Co-Curator of "A Nation of Artists" for the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA).

There are a lot of beautiful landscape paintings on view there.

Kathleen Foster curated the fine arts for PMA.

"We've got more than 500 pieces on this newly renovated second floor," says Foster, Co-Curator of "A Nation of Artists" for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Alexandra Kirtley focused on the decorative arts.

"There are 16 pieces of furniture on loan from the Middleton Family Collection," says Kirtley. "They have fantastic Philadelphia pieces that are dovetailed with our collection."

PMA has four Revolutionary War battle flags on view from the Middleton Family Collection.

"This is an extraordinary, powerful message about the founding of our country and how art has helped shape it," says Middleton.

Foster says this collaboration showcases "the treasures" that are in Philadelphia.

"It makes an extravaganza of American art," she says. "We want to make people proud of American creativity."

"A Nation of Artists" is on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through July 5 of 2027 and September 5 of 2027 at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Visit both museums and receive 50% off an Adult General Admission ticket at the second museum.

For more information:

"A Nation of Artists"
"A Nation of Artists" at PAFA
Link to Tickets at Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts
"A Nation of Artists" at PMA
Link to Tickets at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)
118-128 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130