Adam Weitsman: Scrap Metal Mogul, Art Collector, and Philanthropist

Adam Weitsman, a 45-year-old scrap metal mogul with a $1 billion empire in New York, has donated his $10 million private collection of 19th-century American decorated stoneware to the State Museum. His impressive business achievements and love for art have led him to become a prominent philanthropist. Despite a troubled past that included a felony conviction for check-kiting, Weitsman has managed to turn his life around and focus on his passions.

The State Museum acknowledges Weitsman's dedication and passion for the stoneware collection, which is on display and features utilitarian gray-hued jugs, crocks, pitchers, jars, and water containers adorned with folk art renditions. These everyday items from the 1800s were mass-produced across upstate New York, and their rarity and intricate designs have made some pieces worth up to $400,000 at auction.

Currently, discussions are underway for Weitsman to establish a gallery at the State Museum to display more of his collection, as well as donations of contemporary artists' works, such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. This partnership showcases the unique blend of Weitsman's business acumen, art expertise, and philanthropic spirit.

Times Union