by Bailey White
Staff Writer
by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Like many organizations, July marked the beginning of a new year for the Cathedral Arts Project.
The program, dedicated to providing art instruction to elementary school students with socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, marked the date with the election of a new president, Lisa Strange Weatherby, a vice president and senior investment management consultant with the investment firm Smith Barney.
With her background in business and finance, Weatherby is seemingly the perfect person to help the organization’s renewed goal of serving its mission and expanding its programs.
“There are a number of things I’d like to accomplish,” she said. “Of course, we’re always in fundraising mode. Beefing up the financial side is definitely a part of it because it will help us expand our services. I do work with money all day long and I think that what I do in my job will help us as a board make the best use of money in terms of overseeing its management.”
“I think Lisa has a great ability to help form a vision,” said Kimberly Hyatt, CAP’s executive director. “I think she’ll help us shape how we can serve and help kids.”
Originally started in 1993 as an outreach program of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, the project is in its third year.
Now the CAP program is in about two dozen schools and its instructors provide education in dance, drama, art, chorus and violin.
“We don’t do what we do to generate professional artists, although sometimes that can happen,” said Hyatt, “but we do it as a way to build self esteem in these children and to help in their development. We see it as a way to break the cycle of poverty.”
Not only does it help the children develop as well-rounded individuals, Hyatt said, but it also improves their lives in other ways.
“We’ve had parents, particularly those of students who take violin, tell us that their child’s grades have improved,” she said. Studying the violin requires patience and self discipline that often carries over into academics. And students who study dance often tell us that it’s helped them in math, since dance requires them to count their steps.”
Weatherby was already interested in the project when she first met Hyatt, who sat on the board of Hubbard House when Weatherby served as its chair.
“I was just extremely impressed with Kimberly and the program,” said Weatherby. “I couldn’t help but become involved.”
Weatherby found the goals of the program matched her own beliefs and passions regarding arts education.
“Our program’s mission is to provide instruction in visual and performing arts to socially and economically disadvantaged elementary school students,” she said. “I’m a big believer in how important arts are in early education. I believe they contribute a lot to development.”
Weatherby has seen the evidence in her 13-year-old daughter, Alexa.
“She’s been fortunate to have attended schools with good art education programs,” she said. “I think all kids should have that.”
Weatherby was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Jacksonville. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and spent 18 years with Merrill Lynch, working in New York City and Atlanta, before joining Smith Barney.
“When I first left Jacksonville in 1987, I couldn’t wait to get out of here,” she said. “But I was so excited to move back in 1994. It’s great to have the support of family around.”
When she isn’t working or acting on behalf of the Cathedral Arts Project, Weatherby could probably be found at a Rotary Club of Jacksonville meeting, involved in a United Way project or sitting on the UNF Dean’s Advisory Board.
Much of her spare time is spent with Alexa, and the two make regular trips to the beach.
A longtime devotee of yoga, Weatherby also practices transcendental mediation.
“I took private lessons from people up North who had trained under the Maharishi,” she said. “And I really love it. It’s an instant dip into bliss.”
The program, dedicated to providing art instruction to elementary school students with socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, marked the date with the election of a new president, Lisa Strange Weatherby, a vice president and senior investment management consultant with the investment firm Smith Barney.
With her background in business and finance, Weatherby is seemingly the perfect person to help the organization’s renewed goal of serving its mission and expanding its programs.
“There are a number of things I’d like to accomplish,” she said. “Of course, we’re always in fundraising mode. Beefing up the financial side is definitely a part of it because it will help us expand our services. I do work with money all day long and I think that what I do in my job will help us as a board make the best use of money in terms of overseeing its management.”
“I think Lisa has a great ability to help form a vision,” said Kimberly Hyatt, CAP’s executive director. “I think she’ll help us shape how we can serve and help kids.”
Originally started in 1993 as an outreach program of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, the project is in its third year.
Now the CAP program is in about two dozen schools and its instructors provide education in dance, drama, art, chorus and violin.
“We don’t do what we do to generate professional artists, although sometimes that can happen,” said Hyatt, “but we do it as a way to build self esteem in these children and to help in their development. We see it as a way to break the cycle of poverty.”
Not only does it help the children develop as well-rounded individuals, Hyatt said, but it also improves their lives in other ways.
“We’ve had parents, particularly those of students who take violin, tell us that their child’s grades have improved,” she said. Studying the violin requires patience and self discipline that often carries over into academics. And students who study dance often tell us that it’s helped them in math, since dance requires them to count their steps.”
Weatherby was already interested in the project when she first met Hyatt, who sat on the board of Hubbard House when Weatherby served as its chair.
“I was just extremely impressed with Kimberly and the program,” said Weatherby. “I couldn’t help but become involved.”
Weatherby found the goals of the program matched her own beliefs and passions regarding arts education.
“Our program’s mission is to provide instruction in visual and performing arts to socially and economically disadvantaged elementary school students,” she said. “I’m a big believer in how important arts are in early education. I believe they contribute a lot to development.”
Weatherby has seen the evidence in her 13-year-old daughter, Alexa.
“She’s been fortunate to have attended schools with good art education programs,” she said. “I think all kids should have that.”
Weatherby was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Jacksonville. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and spent 18 years with Merrill Lynch, working in New York City and Atlanta, before joining Smith Barney.
“When I first left Jacksonville in 1987, I couldn’t wait to get out of here,” she said. “But I was so excited to move back in 1994. It’s great to have the support of family around.”
When she isn’t working or acting on behalf of the Cathedral Arts Project, Weatherby could probably be found at a Rotary Club of Jacksonville meeting, involved in a United Way project or sitting on the UNF Dean’s Advisory Board.
Much of her spare time is spent with Alexa, and the two make regular trips to the beach.
A longtime devotee of yoga, Weatherby also practices transcendental mediation.
“I took private lessons from people up North who had trained under the Maharishi,” she said. “And I really love it. It’s an instant dip into bliss.”