Fleisher Art Memorial
Samuel Fleisher was born into a wealthy, philanthropic Philadelphia family in 1871. He started the Graphic Sketch Club, a series of free art classes to poor children of South Philadelphia in 1898; the classes were first held at the Jewish Union building at 422 Bainbridge. In 1911 Samuel moved his growing school to Catharine Street, where today the classes are still going strong. He also acquired the Romanesque church adjacent to his school and converted it into an art “Sanctuary,” a place for meditation and learning. Rent out the Sanctuary as a unique option for special events, though the space is rather dark and the awesome original murals are crumbling. The bright and open exhibit space shows student and professional work, as well as traveling and juried exhibits. Free and fee classes offer a wide range of subjects for adults and young people.
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