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the art of givingFrederick R. Weisman Art FoundationA shared passion forart brings a legacy ofappreciation By Layla RevisSomeone once asked the late FrederickWeisman, “How do you ever decidewhich piece of art to buy?”With a grin on his face and a sparkle in hiseyes, he pointed to his heart and said, “If it hitsyou right here, you go for it.Works of art you arepassionate about are like children—you canalways make room for more!”And that is precisely what Mr.Weisman did.He bought art that moved him and made roomfor it at his home, place of business and Americanembassies around the world; he gifted to variousmuseums, hospitals, universities and organizedtraveling exhibitions.Born in Minneapolis, Mr.Weisman moved toLos Angeles with his Russian immigrant family atthe age of seven. The Weismans moved aroundInterior view of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation’s Annex Gallery (designed by Franklin Israel) with sculptures by DuaneHanson, Donald Judd, and Keith Haring; paintings by Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, and Morris Louis. Photo by David Moore.the city constantly; because the family never stayed in one place long enough tohang anything on the walls, when he later settled in a place of his own he coveredthe walls with memorabilia and images of art from calendars.Mr. Weisman went on to become quite an entrepreneur with a restlessenergy for marketing and business. Eventually, he married Marcia Simon, the sisterof noted art collector Norton Simon. With Marcia, he moved from hangingreproductions to collecting great contemporary art.He became a maverick among Los Angeles collectors, leaving a legacy ofworks that both tour internationally and that are permanently installed at theBeau Bradford, Frederick R. Weisman & Billie Milam Weisman, 1993. Acrylic and silk screen oncanvas. Image courtesy Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation. He donated contemporary art tonumerous museums as well as provided funding for the establishment of theFrederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University and at theUniversity of Minnesota, Minneapolis.Giving back to the same public who had enabled his success, Mr. Weisman84 2006 Issue 4