The Milwaukee Art Museum has announced a $7.6 million gift from the estate of Milwaukee business owner Leonard LeVine, and his wife, Bebe.
The donation, received after Mr. LeVine’s death in 2008, is more than double the previous largest bequest and is designated to advance and improve the Museum’s art collection and presentation.
LeVine, a graduate of Whitefish Bay High School, served in World War II as a Major in the Army Air Corps. He was also president of Rosenberg’s Department Store, a women's apparel store. His wife was a naval officer and Navy photographer during World War II. They were married in 1946 and enjoyed collecting art for their Fox Point home.
A gallery space will be named in the LeVine's honor.
In other Milwaukee Art Museum news, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Burke Brise Soleil will undergo maintenance on Tuesday, Aug. 23 to repair a faulty hydraulic cylinder within the mechanism.
The problem was identified in July, but the "wings" have been opening and closing for visitors on a regular daily schedule as weather permits.
On Tuesday, a crane will hoist the five-foot, 1,200-pound cylinder out of its place in the spine of the brise soleil and remove it for repairs. The repair will run from 7 a.m. until about 3 p.m.
The museum will remain open to visitors during the repair.
