Peter Paone

Peter Paone, a Philadelphia artist, educator, and mentor whose work appeared in some of the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries, died on Thursday, May 14 after a brief illness. He was 89. He is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Alma Alabilikian, his brother John (Terri), and many family members, colleagues, and dear friends.
Born to Italian immigrant parents and raised in South Philadelphia, Paone showed artistic exceptionalism from an early age. He began drawing and painting at just 8 years old, working from an easel in the basement of his family’s rowhouse and studying at the Fleisher Art Memorial. He later attended John Bartram High School, known at the time for its arts program.
After earning a degree in art education from the Philadelphia Museum School of Art (later the University of the Arts), Paone’s career quickly expanded beyond Philadelphia. In 1965, he received a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for his prints, and spent time living and working in London and in Paris. His art was exhibited internationally in cities including Vienna and Hamburg.
Despite his international success, Paone remained deeply connected to Philadelphia. He returned to the city in the late 1970s to teach at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he founded the institution’s first recognized printmaking department and taught until 2009, receiving the title of Professor Emeritus.
It was during his return to Philadelphia that he reconnected with Alma Alabilikian, who he had first met years earlier in a high school art class. The two married six months after reuniting through a chance encounter in Rittenhouse Square, and spent nearly 50 years together in their Mount Airy carriage house nestled in Wissahickon Valley Park.
Though best known for his paintings, Paone worked across numerous mediums, including watercolor, drawing, gouache, and printmaking. His works became part of permanent collections at major institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
As a teacher, Paone left an equally enduring legacy. Former students and fellow artists frequently credited him as a deeply generous mentor, nurturing creativity and encouraging experimentation.
Paone was known for an extraordinary dedication to his craft. Working six days a week in his home studio well into his late 80s, he viewed artistic talent as both a gift and a responsibility.
In recent years, Paone experienced a renewed appreciation for his work through major exhibitions including Snowpeople at the Woodmere Art Museum, Not So Still Life at the Michener Art Museum, and Reality Reassembled: The Halloween Paintings of Peter Paone at the Brandywine Museum of Art.

A memorial event honoring Paone’s life and legacy will be held at the Woodmere Art Museum at a later date.
Family and friends are invited to view from 10-11am Tuesday May 19, 2026 at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, 630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood, PA 19096.  His funeral service will begin promptly at 11am.  Interment to follow in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA 19026.

In lieu of flowers Alma requests that memorial contributions in Peter's honor be made to the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Permanent Endowment Fund. https://www.sahagmesrob.church/

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