About us

The James E. Brewton Foundation, Inc., locates and preserves artworks by Brewton (1930-1967). A Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization founded in 2008, we collaborate with cultural institutions and serve as a resource for the advanced study of mid-century avant-garde art.

Finding and stabilizing the artwork was our primary focus during the first decade of operation. When the search began, we knew of fourteen artworks. Today, we have located more than 175 works, which are coming to light in Denmark, as well as the U.S., U.K., and Canada. 

Currently, the Brewton Foundation is focusing on several projects:

• Assessing Brewton's works with a conservator, using the process as a teaching tool for recent graduates in the profession. We aim to expand this program for larger groups of students in collaboration with an educational nonprofit. 
• Formalizing our catalogue raisonné compilation.
• Increasing outreach to nonprofit cultural institutions for exhibition and interpretive programming.

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In collaboration with educational, conservation, and cultural institutions, we help enhance public awareness, study and understanding of avant-garde arts movements and concepts such as Surrealism, CoBrA and 'Pataphysics. In 2014, we collaborated with the scholars who organized a three-day conference and events called 'Philadelphia a la Pataphysique' at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the events was Brewton's first solo show in 43 years.

Based on the success of 'Philadelphia a la Pataphysique,' the Philadelphia Avant-Garde Studies Consortium (PASC) was founded. PASC has hosted symposia at least once a year since the 2014 conference. The Brewton Foundation is delighted to be a PASC partner organization.

If you'd like more information about the Brewton Foundation, or you own a Brewton artwork we may add to the catalogue raisonné, please contact us and follow us on Instagram.

We are an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) charity. Donate here with PayPal or credit card. Your tax-deductible gift helps bring the artworks back to life, exhibit them and collaborate with educational and cultural organizations. ​​Thank you for your interest.

Alfred Jarry's riverside hut was reimagined by artist Stacy Petty at Slought for the 2014 "Philadelphia a la 'Pataphysique" conference; on opening night, it doubled as stage.

Jim Brewton in Silkeborg, Denmark (ca. 1965), with his portrait of the 'triumviratet'--three men who lent space to Asger Jorn for his museum. This painting is missing.

James E. Brewton. Untitled print fragment. Photo by Elena Bouvier.

​Board of Directors

John Heon

​Sarah Rosenthal

Emily Brewton Schilling

Michael R. Taylor

Patricia Weingrad

​In memoriam

Simon M. Rosenthal

​Ronald Weingrad