Donation to the Cummer Museum to support a position

Photo: Bob Self

The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is excited to announce that long-time supporters J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver have made a $3 million gift through the Weaver Family Foundation Fund to endow the J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator position, currently held by Holly Keris.

The Weavers’ decades of generosity to and leadership at the Cummer Museum began in 1997 and has included important initiatives such as Weaver First Saturday Free for All – free admission for all visitors the first Saturday of each month.  Their Weaver Family Foundation Fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida also has provided long-term support for Art Connections, the Museum’s interactive learning center for children and adolescents, as well as Cummer in the Classroom, a comprehensive art education program for Title 1 elementary school children.

“The core of an art museum is its artistic program — it is this content that engages diverse audiences, that provides the stimulus for educational programming, and, at our institution, that connects gardens and galleries,” said Pam D. Paul, chair of the Cummer Museum’s Board of Trustees.  “The work of developing this program belongs first and foremost to the Chief Curator, and Delores and Wayne’s thoughtful gift guarantees quality in this role into the future — ensuring both the Cummer Museum’s sustainability, as well as its continued relevance to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.”

Designed to highlight and celebrate the Cummer Museum's extensive holdings of Eugène Louis Charvot, the largest collection of Charvot works in the world, this exhibition will be a reflection of this accomplished artist and prominent member of French society. Through an in-depth review of his career as an artist, the exhibition will focus on Charvot’s breadth of processes, productivity and inspiration in painting, etching, and drawing. The exhibition will coincide with a new catalogue about the artist, published by Holly Keris and the Cummer Museum and D. Giles Ltd. London with guest curator, Susan Gallo.

Delores Barr Weaver noted, “Our gift is meant to ensure that the Cummer’s Chief Curator continues to be a leading voice in our cultural community for generations to come.”  Because of their inspiring generosity to provide access and meaningful connections with art and nature, the Weavers encourage and advance Ninah Cummer’s vision for the Museum as a 'center of beauty and culture for all of Jacksonville.’

Holly Keris, J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator, have been with the Cummer Museum for 17 years and has been instrumental in the Museum's impactful exhibition season.  They hope to see you at the Museum soon to experience this season's exhibitions Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt and Eugène Louis Charvot opening February 11, 2020.

About the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens: For almost 60 years, the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has been committed to engaging and inspiring through the arts, gardens, and education. A permanent collection of more than 5,000 objects and historic gardens on a riverfront campus offers nearly 140,000 annual visitors a truly unique experience on the First Coast. Nationally recognized education programs serve adults and children of all abilities. For further information, including hours, visit their website.