On September 3rd, 100 years ago, Sidney Felsen was born. Today, we celebrate his incredible contributions to American art and to FAPE.

Sidney was an incredible friend to FAPE and was deeply admired by all of us. In 1995 Gemini G.E.L. agreed to donate the publishing of Roy Lichtenstein’s Composition III for our Original Print Collection. It was the second edition in the Collection, and it started a wonderful tradition between FAPE and Gemini.

They generously donated another nine editions between 1997 and 2016 by artists John Baldessari, Frank Gehry, Ellsworth Kelly, Julie Mehretu, Elizabeth Murray, Susan Rothenberg, Ed Ruscha, Joel Shapiro and Terry Winters.

We are honored to include Sidney’s work in our Collection. In 2014 we welcomed The Artist Observed to our Photography Collection.

The portfolio includes a photograph of each artist for which Gemini published a print for FAPE. His work can be seen in U.S. Embassies from London to Singapore.

Sidney was revered and respected throughout the world. His passing on June 9th marks the loss of one of the greatest champions of the arts.

Sidney had a profound impact on American art in the 20th and early 21st centuries, and his stories about this important history rival his spectacular photographs. FAPE is forever grateful for his generosity and unwavering commitment to our program. We will miss his presence at our gatherings, most especially his notable hats and color-coordinated ensembles. We raise a glass in honor of Sidney today on what would have been his 100th birthday!