Fleisher Art Memorial was saddened to learn about the loss of two beloved painting teachers whose dedication to their students and the art of painting shaped countless lives.

Frederic Kaplan (January 2, 1948 – June 4, 2026) was struck by a car on May 29, 2026, and passed away surrounded by family at Lankenau Medical Center. A Philadelphia native and PAFA MFA graduate, Fred taught painting and drawing at PAFA’s Continuing Education program from 2006 and at Rowan College of South Jersey since 2004. He began teaching at Fleisher in 2008, and in his own words, found it to be “…a terrific school and an affordable alternative to an art college.” He brought that same spirit to every class, once describing his approach to teaching as cooking up “…a meal that satisfies students’ hunger to learn, and supplying knives, forks, and spoons so students can eventually feed themselves.”

He began his career as an illustrator and designer before devoting himself to gallery art in the late 1990s, working in a surrealist style that blended abstract and representational elements. His most recent paintings explored theoretical physics alongside still life and landscape, and engaged directly with social justice issues, civil rights, gun violence, and the oppression of women and the LGBTQ community. Beyond his art, Fred was known for his warmth, his terrible puns, and his genuine love of teaching. He is survived by his wife Alice, his daughter Emily, and his brother Larry.

Al Gury (October 23, 1951 – June 25, 2026) passed away peacefully on the morning of June 25, surrounded by friends. A painter of figures, landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, Al taught at Fleisher for more than three decades, alongside tenures at PAFA, University of the Arts, the Barnes Foundation, and many other institutions. His paintings have been exhibited at the National Academy of Design, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the U.S. Capitol, and galleries across the country. He was designated a Master Teacher by both the University of the Arts and American Artist Magazine, served as Chair of Painting at PAFA for over twenty years, and authored three books on painting and drawing published by Penguin-Random House.

Al was as committed to his community as he was to his craft. He founded PAFA’s After School Studio Program, which provides free art education and a safe after-school space for Philadelphia high school students and celebrated its 30th anniversary in January 2024. He participated in PAFA’s Lost Dreams on Canvas program, painting portraits of victims of gun violence in Philadelphia, and worked with the Mural Arts Program both as a teacher and as a guide for mural artists. Since 2006, he served as an advocate, an avid cat foster parent, and volunteer nursing assistant for the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. He quietly supported students in need and encouraged them to be their true selves.

We are grateful for everything Fred and Al gave to their students and to this community. They will be deeply missed.

To honor Fred’s memory, donations may be made to PAFA’s public education programs (pafa.org/support-us, designated in memory of Fred Kaplan), the American Heart Association (heart.org), or Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org).

To honor Al’s memory, donations may be made to PAWS: phillypaws.org/donate. An official memorial will be coordinated by PAFA in fall 2026.

Al and Fred touched the lives of so many students, colleagues, and friends during their years at Fleisher. We invite you to share your memories of them below — a lesson that stayed with you, a moment in the studio, or simply what they meant to you.