Most outgoing presidents get a plaque. Not Lisa Rowe Baer; she got a painting.
And, she didn’t even read anything into its title: “Cracking Under Pressure.”
Rowe Baer, the communications manager of the Better Jacksonville Plan, ended her one-year term as president of the Chamber’s Downtown Council on Friday and her departing gift was a rather bizarre painting.
“I love the artist because our home is very traditional and we need something funky,” said Rowe Baer. “At our silent auction (held last month in conjunction with Downtown Dazzle,) I bought a painting by the artist, Ashley Longshore.
“I really liked her work and I called Gillian Baker (the silent auction chair) to find out her phone number. Gillian, it turned out, was in charge of getting my gift and she also called the artist.”
The painting now hangs in her Springfield home that she shares with husband Stuart, a blues musician, a dog and assorted cats.
Rowe Baer was succeeded as president by public relations consultant Larry Marscheck and about 100 attended the year’s final meeting.
The Council starts its 2002 season on January 4.