In carrying on Bootsie’s legacy, the Weiss family has established an endowed fund to provide for maintenance of the Bootsie Weiss Children’s Garden as an outdoor space where adults and children gather in the joyful pursuit of artmaking. The Weiss family has also committed to a multi-year gift to bring mosaics to Fleisher’s popular Saturday Young Artists Program in the spirit of Bootsie’s love for mosaics. Since 2021, the Weiss family has supported free, quality mosaics programming for our youngest mosaic artists.
About Beverly "Bootsie" Weiss
Bootsie Weiss was a Pennsylvania-based artist specializing in mosaics made from tiles and pieces of ordinary objects that she broke and reassembled into artworks on walls. From the 1990s until 2006, Mrs. Weiss was on Fleisher Art Memorial’s Board of Directors and served as a Board member of the Clay Studio.
While serving on Fleisher’s Board, it was her vision to activate Fleisher’s garden in a way that celebrated the innate creativity of children in our community. Leading up to the garden’s completion, she worked with youth students to create mosaic art that could be displayed on the outdoor walls.
About the Children's Garden
Bootsie led the fundraising efforts to make the garden possible and shared her vision of a garden that “would open up a world of opportunities for Fleisher’s programs and for the children who benefit from them.” The garden was dedicated in 2008, with friends and supporters gathered in the vibrant space adjacent to Palumbo Park.
Following her passing in 2009, Fleisher, with the support of generous contributors, carried out her vision and named the garden in her honor. The garden includes colorful mosaics, reminiscent of Bootsie’s own acclaimed work, as well as a beautiful iron gate by sculptor Warren Holzman. A special place on Fleisher’s campus, the Bootsie Weiss Children’s Garden has provided young artists with an inspiring creative space to learn and grow.
Fleisher is grateful to the Weiss family for their continued support and generosity.
You can also send your gift by mail to Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Please make checks payable to Fleisher Art Memorial.
For more information on legacy gifts, please contact Caroline Charuk, Donor Relations Manager, at ccharuk@fleisher.org.
Thank you for your support!
