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Delores Barr Weaver
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The Florida Theatre is pleased to announce a
$30,000 challenge gift from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund at The
Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. This gift will be added to the
existing Florida Theatre Board of Directors match for the “Cross the Finish
Line” Campaign, doubling donations through December 31.
After going without more than 90% of its typical income for over six months, on
October 9, 2020, the Theatre launched the “Cross the Finish Line” Campaign to
raise the funds needed to reopen this December.
With this generous donation from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, the
“Cross the Finish Line” campaign now aims to raise $180,000 by December
31. This money will help the Theatre bridge the financial gap, and make it
over the finish line for the December reopening.
“Mrs. Weaver has shown so much leadership in Jacksonville, encouraging the
rest of us to support the many civic organizations that work to make
Jacksonville a better place to live and work, and the Florida Theatre is
extremely fortunate to be included in that effort during this time,” said
Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin. “From my perspective, it’s super
energizing to have someone come along and tell you that your goal is not high
enough, and then give you a boost towards the next level of achievement. It’s
the philanthropic equivalent of Teddy Roosevelt leading the way up San Juan
Hill.”
The historic, nonprofit Florida Theatre is sponsored by Community First
Credit Union. For a complete list of upcoming events or to buy tickets visit
the Theatre's official website floridatheatre.com.
About the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund: The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy
Fund at The Community Foundation
for Northeast Florida was created by Delores Barr Weaver in 2015 as
the natural evolution of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund, which has awarded more
than $86 million in grants since she created it in 2012. She also provides
separate, annual support to 20 local, non-profit organizations for their annual
fundraising events through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund. Like the
Delores Barr Weaver Fund, the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund’s purpose is to
provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work she has supported over
many years and to encourage others to do so as well. Mrs. Weaver has an
extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, and she has provided transformative
support to dozens of nonprofit organizations that uplift, enlighten and advance
our community.
About the Florida Theatre: From ballet and opera to contemporary pop,
jazz, rock, country and blues the nonprofit Florida Theatre offers 200 cultural
and entertainment events annually for every taste and age. More than just an
entertainment center, Florida Theatre is also home to graduations, awards
ceremonies, lectures, business meetings and charity events that support the
community's schools, churches, hospitals and civic groups. As an anchor to
downtown development along the beautiful St. Johns River, Florida Theatre draws
250,000 people to Jacksonville's center each year. The magnificently restored
Florida Theatre is recognized as one of the finest concert venues in the
Southeast. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The
Florida Theatre holds special memories for four generations. From the
Vaudeville acts and silent films of its earliest days to today's blend of
performances of all kinds, the Florida Theatre has served as Jacksonville's
premier entertainment center since 1927.
The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announces 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 Chief Curator position.
The newly endowed position will be known as the Cummer Museum’s J. Wayne and
Delores Barr Weaver Chief Curator. The
position ensures that the Museum will attract top talent into this role in
perpetuity, but it also acknowledges the major contributions that Holly Keris,
Chief Curator, has made to the institution over her 17 years with the Museum.
“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.”
The Chief Curator is a member of the Museum’s executive team, shaping the
institution’s vision and mission, while leading its artistic program. The position oversees efforts to build,
present and conserve the Museum’s permanent collection, and also directs the
presentation of exhibitions.
“Through our longstanding association with Holly Keris and the Cummer, we
have come to appreciate the tremendous value and profound influence of a Chief
Curator,” noted Delores Barr Weaver. “We are particularly grateful for Holly’s
extended efforts as both Chief Curator and interim director for nearly two
years, during a challenging period when the Gardens were ravaged by Hurricane
Irma and the Women’s Club building had to be razed because of termites.” She continued, “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.”
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.
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.’
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.
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| 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.
