USArtists:  American Fine Art Show is the major annual fundraising event created, organized and chaired by the Women’s Board of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA) to benefit PAFA’s mission.  The world’s largest show and sale of American art is held the third weekend in October at the 33^rd Street Armory in Philadelphia.  In 2008, the 17^th annual USArtists show will run Friday through Sunday, October 17, 18 & 19, with a gala opening on Thursday, October 16.

Established in 1950, the Women’s Board has a long and distinguished history of developing and producing successful programs that raise funds for PAFA.  In 1990, members of the Women’s Board sought an annual fundraising event that would introduce the Academy to a larger audience.  The concept of an exposition and sale focused on American art seemed natural for an event that would benefit the nation’s oldest school and museum of fine arts.

John Von Wicht 1880-1970, Force Series Paintings II, 1935-'37 Gouache on paper, 17.75" x 11.5" Acme Fine Art

In celebration of American artistic talent, USArtists reflects the vitality, history and uniqueness of our nation’s art.  Since USArtists debuted in 1992, critics have praised it as “the premier American art fair.”  USArtists is an opportunity for collectors and art lovers to see, under one roof, what is available in the art market from leading galleries across the country. 

USArtists has had profitable and steady growth since its inception.  The financial success of USArtists has enabled the Women’s Board to support numerous programs at the Academy.  In 2007, USArtists provided more than $330,000 for Women’s Board projects. 

The first of its kind, USArtists' Special Needs Program offers free workshops and docent-led tours of the show to people who are physically challenged.  As an outgrowth of this program, the Women’s Board established PAFA's first Special Needs Scholarship Endowment Fund in 1997.

	Rockwell Kent, 1882-1971, Vermont Symphony Orchestra Angel , 1935 Oil on board, 12 3/4" x 9 1/2" Tom Veilleux Gallery

Founded in 1805, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is America's oldest art museum and school of fine arts.  PAFA museum collections and exhibitions display the work of distinguished American artists including Benjamin West, Charles Willson Peale, Thomas Eakins, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Robert Henri, John Twachtman, Georgia O’Keeffe, Richard Diebenkorn and Helen Frankenthaler.

The school offers a Certificate Program, Master of Fine Arts degree, an Academy Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania, and a Post-Baccalaureate program in drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.  Notable alumni include Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, Cecilia Beaux, Maxfield Parrish, Robert Henri, John Sloan, Charles Sheeler, John Marin, David Lynch, Vince Desiderio, Bo Bartlett and Moe Brooker.