Now in its nineteenth year, the Founder's Award celebrates Samuel Fleisher's lifelong goals. It is presented to individuals whose commitment and effort have made a significant contribution to expanding people's access to the arts, supporting excellence in artistic expression, and enriching Philadelphia's cultural resources.

Peggy Amsterdam, President of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, and Karen Davis, President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, represent the true meaning of the Founder's Award. Together and individually, Peggy and Karen enrich Philadelphia's arts and culture community through their work every day, helping institutions, including the Fleisher Art Memorial, become even better resources for the residents of Greater Philadelphia. Peggy's and Karen's comprehensive — and harmonizing — achievements have resulted in a renaissance of enthusiasm for Philadelphia's arts and culture landscape. Today's wealth of opportunities for participation in the arts is a direct result of their commitment to our city, and together, they have set the stage for a bright and creative future.

On Monday, April 7th, 2008, the board of directors of the Fleisher Art Memorial was proud to present the 2008 Founder's Award to Peggy Amsterdam and Karen Davis in recognition of their significant contributions to Philadelphia's arts and culture community. The cocktail reception was attended by a record-setting 180+ guests, who enjoyed music by Laurent Bass.

The honorees were introduced by Philip Horn, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Diane Dalto Woosnam, Chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Mayor Michael Nutter spoke to the crowd about the impact the arts have in making Philadelphia a strong and vibrant city. Just over 100 people stayed for dinner in Fleisher's historic Sanctuary.

This year's event helped raise nearly $60,000 to support Fleisher's 110-year tradition of free art classes, low-cost workshops, exhibitions, and Community Partnerships in the Arts.

Liz Price, President of Fleisher's Board of Directors; Matt Braun, Fleisher's Executive Director; Mayor Michael Nutter; Founder's Award recipient Peggy Amsterdam; and Founder's Award recipient Karen Davis.

Frank Louchheim, whose great uncle Samuel Fleisher founded the organization that became known as the Fleisher Art Memorial, with wife Betts and granddaughter Danielle, and friends David Tomlinson and Sheila O'Toole.

Guests enjoy the honorees' remarks during the reception.

All photographs by Mark Garvin.

2008 FOUNDER'S AWARD HONORARY COMMITTEE
Hon. Edward G. Rendell, Chair
Stephen S. Aichele, Esq.
John C. Haas
Anne d'Harnoncourt
Frank and Betts Louchheim
Mark Schweiker
Susan E. Sherman
R. Andrew Swinney

2008 FOUNDER’S AWARD COMMITTEE
Bootsie Weiss, Chair
Matthew Braun, Executive Director
Diane Burko
Frances E. Dalton
Sharon Gallagher
Gabriele W. Lee
Marsha Moss

PREVIOUS FOUNDER’S AWARD RECIPIENTS
Anne d'Harnoncourt (2007) • James Nelson Kise, James Bennett Straw, and David A. Schultz (2006) • Frank and Betts Louchheim (2005) • Suzanne Fleisher Roberts (2004) • Luther W. Brady (2003) • Thora Jacobson (2002) • Happy Fernandez (2001) • Linda Lee Alter (2000) • Edward Rendell (1999) • Marian Locks (1998) • Joseph Rishel (1997) • Dorothy R. B. Manou and Melinda Whiting (1996) • Ella King Torrey (1995) • Helen W. Drutt English (1994) • Edna Andrade and William Parshall (1993) • Penny Balkin Bach and Jody Pinto (1992) • Judith Tannenbaum (1991) • Frank Gasparro (1990)

GLOWING PATRONS ($5,000 or more)
Betts and Frank Louchheim

SPARKLING SPONSORS ($2,500 to $4,999)
The Annenberg Foundation
Anne d’Harnoncourt and Joseph Rishel
The Philadelphia Foundation
SCA Americas

FIERY FRIENDS ($1,000 to $2,499)
Linda Lee Alter
Bank of America
Shirley J. Cook
Cross Atlantic Capital Partners
Frances E. Dalton and Sam Robertson Little
Phyllys B. Fleming
Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation
John C. Haas
Lynne and Harold Honickman
Tim and Liz Huston
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Foundation
Dorothy Mather Ix and Raymond E. Ix., Jr.
James and Margot Lebovitz
Gabrielle W. Lee
Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest
John and Susan Louchheim
Edward M. Mayer, Esq.
Natalye and Marc Paquin
PECO
Liz Price and Leonardo Diaz
Sage Communications Partners
Carole and Joseph Shanis
Jim and Keith Straw
Tierney Communications
Bootsie and Arnold Weiss
Elizabeth Werthan and Robert J. Brand