Jerry Weaver's musical background began early as he was the son of a band teacher and played the trumpet at the age of three. When he was in fourth to eighth grades, he played with the Cincinnati Symphony while attending summer school at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. |
Forced to change careers, he chose architecture like his grandfather before him and received his degree from Kansas State University. After receiving his architect's license, Jerry established his own firm in Kansas where he also maintained an art gallery and studio and actively produced art works in several media.
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During his long career, he has received national awards both in architectural design and education. Shortly before experiencing a debilitating stroke in 1994, Jerry began making drums. Several months after the stroke, he was again able to resume carving, and he credits his recovery of body and spirit to this traditional instrument of healing. Today he is able to design and carve drums, give presentations, and conduct workshops. A few years ago, he also received a commission to produce a 15 foot, wood and steel, interactive sculpture entitled "Ascending Together in Joy" for Very Special Arts of Kansas. With a lot of help from his wife and friends, it was built and offers a beautiful environment for meditation at Inter-Faith Ministries in Wichita, Kansas. |
Arkansas River |
Jerry's drums are, of course, inspired by his wide background in art, design, and music, but they also echo with the heartbeats of his Cherokee ancestors. The weathered cottonwood logs that he hand carves come from the banks of the Arkansas River which flows through the area and crosses both Coronado's path and the old Santa Fe Trail. Jerry often muses on the people and events the old trees have witnessed. 
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