Portraits for the Arts

The Soul of Philadelphia’s Art Community Immortalized

“Portraits For the Arts” is the name of Alexandra Tyng’s ongoing philanthropic project. It grew from Alex’s love of people, the arts, the city of Philadelphia, and a desire to break out of the confines of commissioned portraiture. She began thinking of how to give back to her city, and realized that she could use art to reinvest in the arts. By painting portraits of artists, she is also immortalizing the artists, and giving the arts more power to make an even greater impact. Painting portraits to celebrate the power of art has limitless potential.

Here’s how it works: Alex paints a portrait of someone in Philadelphia’s art community, and if the portrait is sold, she accepts only 40% of her usual fee.  Then one of three things can happen:

1) The portrait is purchased by an individual who donates the remaining 60% to a cultural or educational institution.

2) The portrait is purchased by an individual who donates the portrait to an institution.

3) The portrait is used by an institution as a fundraising tool to start a scholarship or add to a capital campaign. After Alex receives 40% of her usual fee, the remaining 60% (and any funds over and above that amount) go directly to the institution to meet or surpass the fundraising goal.

A Portraits For the Arts Exhibition will feature 25 portraits of individuals with Philadelphia roots who have made a significant impact on the arts. It will take place in a Philadelphia venue when enough portraits are completed and available to show. Some will be for sale during the show, others will be on loan from various institutions and private collections.

Participants include artist Edna Andrade; children’s book illustrators Beth and Joe Krush; architects Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown and Moshe Safdie; Oscar-nominated film director Nathaniel Kahn; Drexel University President Constantine Papadakis; Brandywine River Conservancy founder Frolic Weymouth, and classical musicians Claude and Pamela Frank.

Do you know a famous musician, actor, director, author, performer, or visual artist, or a supporter of the arts—someone with a connection to the Philadelphia area whom you feel should be represented in this exhibit? Would this person like to have his or her portrait painted? Nominees must be willing to sit for a two-hour oil sketch and pose for a series of reference photos while Alex develops the portrait.

Please email Alex with your suggestions.