Special Initiatives
Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund
The Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund, a fund of The Jefferson Foundation, was created to provide funding for art, music, drama and other cultural activities in Jeffco Public Schools. Held at the Community First Foundation alongside The Jefferson Foundation’s operating endowment, the Wetherbee Fund is among the first true program-specific endowments for The Jefferson Foundation.
Established in 2009, the Fund is earning annual interest that can be used to make program grants to support cultural activities. Historically, the Fund has supported Jeffco’s four district-wide art shows, which were cut from the district budget in the 2009-2010 school year.
In addition to the established fund, Betty Wetherbee takes her role as patroness of the arts in Jeffco very seriously. In addition to establishing the Fund, she has supported additional art programs around Jefferson County Public Schools. Her support of The Jefferson Foundation and Jeffco Public Schools ensures that our schools can continue to offer important arts education for all students.
To make a secure online donation to the Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund click here. Donors making online gifts or mailing checks to the Foundation are asked to please indicate that the gift is for the Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund.
About Joe Wetherbee: Originally from Waupaca, Wisconsin, Joe and Betty married during World War II. He attended the University of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) receiving his Bachelor of Art Education. Later the couple moved to Denver, where Joe received his Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver.
In 1950, Joe Wetherbee began teaching at Wheat Ridge High School. He worked diligently to start an art program where students could learn from professionally-trained artists. Wheat Ridge still maintains one of the strongest high school art programs in Jeffco Schools.
Betty noted that while Joe enjoyed creating and viewing art, he was really a teacher first. He took his job very seriously, donning shirt and tie every morning to impress upon his students the importance of professionalism. Joe’s commitment to teaching was evident to everyone.
After Joe Wetherbee passed away in January 2009, he was remembered by many of his former students and friends:
“I never took a class with Mr. Wetherbee,” wrote a Wheat Ridge High School graduate. “My friends and I would eat lunch and talk to him until the bell rang for afternoon classes. Behind his gruff and intimidating exterior, we discovered a sense of humor that could transform our day.”
“I cannot express how he changed my life,” said another former student. “He was there for me at a time when I needed a kind, compassionate male in my life. He taught me what a man really is: a loving human being.”
“Whether he knew it or not, old Joe had a knack for identifying student’s talent, shortcomings and needs,” wrote former student Carol Hoffman. “Joe Wetherbee had a reputation for producing more top-notch artists than any other teacher in Jefferson County, possibly in the Denver area.”
Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund: Joe Wetherbee wanted his students to appreciate art in every day life. To continue his life’s work, Betty established the Betty and Joe Wetherbee Art and Music Fund at The Jefferson Foundation. With their permanently endowed fund, the Wetherbees have ensured that kids will be able to explore their creative options for years to come. 
Becoming a Legacy Partner to The Jefferson Foundation: By leaving a legacy through a gift in your will, pretax retirement plan or life insurance policy, you provide forever funding for the important programs of The Jefferson Foundation. For more information about using planned giving to leave your own legacy, please contact Katie Tiernan, Executive Director of The Jefferson Foundation at 303-982-2261 or email katietiernan@jeffersonfoundation.org.
Download a Legacy Giving Brochure here (Adobe PDF file)
Visit Uncle Toadee's Doodles for Joe Wetherbee's artwork and to purchase greeting cards!
Photos & images of Joe Wetherbee courtesy Christine Dougherty, a student of Joe Wetherbee.