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An old proverb states "It takes a village to raise a child." For the students, faculty and staff at the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial the saying has taken on new meaning. After two years and the help of numerous volunteers and organizations, the Bootsie Weiss Children’s Garden is open for the business of art.
The almost-800-square-foot space that sits behind the Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St., was previously used for storing trash, but is now home to a children’s art gallery and outdoor extension of the school. The garden named for the artist and long-time Fleisher board member displays mosaics and sculptures created by children attending the school. Old, crumbling walls were replaced with concrete and metal frames, lighting was added to highlight the art, while plants, seating and a refurbished stone patio greets visitors.
But it is not just those at Fleisher who will reap the benefits of the new spot.
"No one wants to look out and see broken down walls and garbage," Fleisher Executive Director Matt Braun said. "Everyone just loves it; the response has been great from everyone here at the school and from our neighbors."
The sentiments were echoed by Joseph Narcissi, formerly of the 900 block of Passyunk Avenue.
"It’s great to see the work that they have done over the years. To turn a little-used space into a beautiful garden is great for the school and the community," the one-time Fleisher student said.
Former Fleisher students, such as Warren Holzman, also have had a hand in the space. The 36-year-old custom-designed the wrought-iron gate that strives for a sense of connection between the garden and adjacent Palumbo Park.
"The amount of time that must have gone in to its handcrafted construction is enormous," Braun said. "It’s great to see former students giving back like this."
To get the renovation off the ground, Weiss donated the initial funds of more than $15,000. Fleisher, in turn, approached the Community Design Collaborative, a volunteer organization in Philadelphia that provides nonprofits with planning and design services. The collaborative paired the 110-year-old facility with architectural designers Elwell Studio in Montgomery County. Elwell Studio donated its time and effort — worth close to $15,000 — and came up with the garden’s final design.
"The initial main point of the project was to clean up the space and make it useful, but it ended up going much further than that," landscape architect Jason Elwell said. "I think the end result was a really beautiful space that will get a lot of use."
The garden could not have been completed without many people, such as the community members and groups who donated the remaining funds — tens of thousands of dollars, according to Braun. Original donor Weiss, a mosaic artist, was at the space’s grand-opening May 10.
"The main person was Bootsie," Elwell said. "She got the ball rolling and made it all happened. It never could have happened without her."
Added Braun, "It was always her intention that this space would be used to display children’s art. She even worked with the kids prior to the completion of the garden to create mosaic art that could be displayed here."
Children make up about a quarter of the students and the faculty at the nation’s oldest tuition-free art institution encourages its youths through exhibitions. And the garden continues a tradition of community betterment well-known at Fleisher.
"It has always been the school’s intention to introduce art to those who’ve yet to experience it," Braun said. "We also try to help the community in other ways. Recently, we’ve introduced a teen lounge, where young community members can come to experience art and relax in a truly safe environment, which for some is very hard to come by."
Based on the success with the spruced-up space, similar projects may be in Fleisher’s future. Already in the works is a plan, still in its infancy, to rejuvenate Palumbo Park that would once again team the school with the collaborative, as well as the Friends of Palumbo Park, a neighborhood organization that oversees the space.
"Because of the great response we’ve had to the garden, we hope that we can continue to work with the community to better our facilities," Braun said, adding, "You can never expect to pull off something like [the garden] by yourself. The amount of effort put in by so many different people and organizations is truly amazing."
