The 30th Founder’s Award was one to remember, as more than 200 supporters gathered at Fleisher on June 6, 2019 to celebrate Diane Burko, artist, educator, and activist. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant commitment to providing access to the arts, promoting excellence in creative expression, and enriching Philadelphia’s cultural resources.

Fleisher is proud to honor Diane for many reasons, including her contributions as an artist, educator, and environmentalist. Diane served on Fleisher’s Board of Directors for many years, helping to create access to arts education for thousands of children and adults, and has been a generous supporter of our work. Most recently, Diane has distinguished herself nationally for her environmental advocacy, and devotes her attention to communicating issues of climate change.

The Founder’s Award Celebration is Fleisher’s most significant annual fundraising event to support arts education for community members of all ages. Together, we’ll foster a diverse and just community where everyone can discover the artist within.

Thank you to Judith K. Brodsky (co-chair) and Lorie Mertes whose inspiring words reminded us of all that Diane has achieved and championed in Philadelphia and beyond. Signe Wilkinson (co-chair) took us on an illustrated journey of Diane’s activism in climate change awareness that won’t soon be forgotten.

If you missed the event and would like to make a contribution, or if you would like to increase your gift please contact Leah Gelb, Donor Engagement Officer, at lgelb@fleisher.org or 215-922-3456 ext. 326. Supporters at $2,500 and above are invited to a special studio tour with Diane Burko in fall 2019.

Pictured above: Diane Burko, detail of “Arctic Melting,” 60”x84”, mixed media, 2017.

Honorary Committee

  • Judith K. Brodsky, co-chair

  • Signe Wilkinson, co-chair

  • Lee Alter

  • Jill & Sheldon Bonovitz

  • Monika Burke & Kresimir Starcevic

  • Peter Capolino & Fran Deitrich

  • Jolley Bruce Christman

  • Ralph Citino & Lawrence Taylor

  • James D. Crawford & Judith N. Dean

  • Tobey & Mark Dichter

  • Barbara Eberlein & Jerry Wind

  • Kathy Candel Epstein

  • Judy & Richard Gelles

  • Dani & Mike Geraci

  • Carole Haas Gravagno

  • Greta & Alan Greenberger

  • Liz & Michael Grimaldi

  • Gail Harrity & Sandy Tilney

  • Marsha & Jim Moss

  • Guna S. Mundheim

  • Sondra & Morey Myers

  • Dr. Ferris Olin

  • Liz Price & David Lamb

  • Kathy & Ned Putnam

  • Carrie Rickey & Paul Levy

  • Carol Saline & Paul Rathblott

  • Timothy & Sally Rub

  • Ivy Silver & Steven Leshner

  • Marla Soffer

  • Judith & Jonathan Stein

  • Keith & Jim Straw

  • Judith Tannenbaum

  • Anna & Menno Tas

  • Robert & Barbara Tiffany

  • John Wind

  • Caroline Wischmann & David Rasner

  • Joseph & Pam Yohlin

Sponsorship

Gold $5,000+

  • Jolley Bruce Christman

Silver $2,500+

  • James D. Crawford & Judith N. Dean

Bronze $1,000+

  • Jill & Sheldon Bonovitz

  • Judith K. Brodsky & Michael Curtis

  • Monika Burke & Kresimir Starcevic

  • Barbara Eberlein & Jerry Wind

  • Dani & Mike Geraci

  • Lynne & Harold Honickman

  • Liz Price & David Lamb

  • John & Susan Louchheim

  • Thomas Miles

  • Kathy & Ned Putnam

  • Judith Tannenbaum

  • Anna & Menno Tas

  • Arnold Weiss

  • Constance Williams

  • John Wind

Friend $500+

  • Lee Alter

  • AMJ Foundation

  • Sandy Cadwalader

  • Peter Capolino & Fran Deitrich

  • Chef’s Table

  • Ralph Citino & Lawrence Taylor

  • Helen Cunningham

  • Tobey & Mark Dichter

  • Julia & Les Dutton

  • Kathy Candel Epstein

  • Carla Feigenbaum

  • Judy & Richard Gelles

  • Carole Haas Gravagno

  • Greta & Alan Greenberger

  • Peter & Janie Gross

  • Gail Harrity & Sandy Tilney

  • Wayne A. Hendrickson & Ann Temkin

  • Lydia Hunn & Charles Derr

  • Joe & Lisa Matje

  • Marsha & Jim Moss

  • Guna S. Mundheim

  • Sondra & Morey Myers

  • Dr. Ferris Olin

  • Sharon & John Place

  • Carrie Rickey & Paul Levy

  • Timothy & Sally Rub

  • Jeanne Ruddy and Victor Keen

  • Carol Saline & Paul Rathblott

  • Ivy Silver & Steven Leshner

  • Marla Soffer

  • Judith & Jonathan Stein

  • Keith & Jim Straw

  • Robert & Barbara Tiffany

  • Signe Wilkinson & Jon Landau

  • Caroline Wischmann & David Rasner

  • Joseph & Pam Yohlin

Past Founder's Award Recipients

  • Gayle Isa and Dr. Carmen Febo San Miguel, 2018

  • Marsha Moss, 2017

  • Dr. Dennis W. Creedon, 2016

  • Louise Clement-Hoff, 2015

  • Helen Cunningham & Ted Newbold, 2014

  • Dina & Jerry Wind, 2013

  • Jill & Sheldon Bonovitz, 2012

  • Al West & Paige West, 2011

  • Carole Haas Gravagno, 2010

  • Louis Massiah, Pepón Osorio, & Lily Yeh, 2009

  • Peggy Amsterdam & Karen Davis, 2008

  • Anne d’Harnoncourt, 2007

  • James Nelson Kise, James Bennett Straw, & David A. Schultz, 2006

  • Frank & Betty Louchheim, 2005

  • Suzanne Fleisher Roberts, 2004

  • Dr. Luther W. Brady, Jr., 2003

  • Thora Jacobson, 2002

  • Happy Fernandez, 2001

  • Linda Lee Alter, 2000

  • Hon. Edward G. Rendell, 1999

  • Marian Locks, 1998

  • Joseph Rishel, 1997

  • Dorothy R. B. Manou & Melinda Whiting, 1996

  • Ella King Torrey, 1995

  • Helen W. Drutt English, 1994

  • Edna Andrade & William Parshall, 1993

  • Penny Balkin Bach & Jody Pinto, 1992

  • Judith Tannenbaum, 1991

  • Frank Gasparro, 1990