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PRESIDENTIAL PIECES OF ART

Toni Fischman

Over the years, WAL resident and to the 41st POTUS, she says she
artist Toni Fischman sent acrylic “was quite surprised to receive
paintings she created to some Presi- an envelope addressed from The
dents of the United States (POTUS). White House” in March of 1989.
Each time, she received letters of
appreciation back. “I was further delighted to re-
ceive a letter from President
“Watching the recent funeral of Pres- Bush and wife Barbara, thanking Toni received a thank you letter from the late
ident George H.W. Bush, I thought me for my ‘gift,” Toni said, George H. W. Bush for her Midwest painting.
back to 1989 when he was elected holding the copy of the letter in Photo: Toni Fischman
President. I had just finished my hand.
acrylic painting titled ‘Midwest.’ needed to lead our nation.
Since I thought it represented a sig- Four years later, Toni Fischman sent
nificant part of America, I sent Presi- another painting titled “American One of her most cherished painting is
dent Bush a gift of my painting,” Beauty Roses” to then President-elect her acrylic of the late Pres. John Ken-
Fischman recounts. Bill Clinton as he prepared to be- nedy’s final farewell site. Titled
come the 42nd POTUS and received “Half-Mast at Arlington Cemetery”
“It was mailed at the old Post Office a similar note of gratitude. and once displayed at the National
on Pickett Street—first class!” she Park Academy of the Arts in Wyo-
chuckled. Toni sent her paintings to the White ming. This one painting is so special
House because she’s inspired by our to Toni that she decided to keep it.
Although Toni sent out her painting country's heritage and the courage

February 2019 Wheel Page 9