Jordana Pomeroy – Former East Coaster gives her take on Baton Rouge

Age: 50
Occupation: Executive Director, LSU Museum of Art
Previous residence: Washington, D.C.
Moved here: June 2012

The opportunity to become the executive director of the LSU Museum of Art.

The remarkable piece of architecture—the Shaw Center for the Arts—located in downtown Baton Rouge, and the passion of the search committee members for the institution’s potential for growth.

In the past six months, I have focused on understanding how the museum evolved and thinking about ways the museum can better serve LSU and the city. This involves changes in our curatorial and educational programming, in fundraising, and updating crucial assumptions and decisions about how we are perceived.

I find it to be dynamic, exuberant and progressive.

Jim Moore, the husband of Adrienne Moore, who served on my search committee. Before we moved into our apartment, Jim and Adrienne invited me, my husband, as well as our two large shepherd mixes to stay with them for a few days. Jim is a dog whisperer—he helped the dogs acclimate to their new environment.

The Shaw Center for the Arts.

I rarely go anywhere specifically to network, although I am delighted when it happens. We like to head over to Ann Connelly’s gallery openings, to the Baton Rouge Gallery, and lately, I have attended some awesome holiday parties.

Restaurant IPO on Third Street and Smokin’ Aces on Government Street. Both are outstanding.

When I decided to take the job, my brother sent me the lyrics to “Me and Bobby McGee,” which tells you something about my New York-centric family. The truth is, though, I had made a couple of very good friends prior to arrival, and through Facebook caught up with a friend of mine from elementary school in New York City who has lived in Baton Rouge for two decades. They provided a very honest and favorable picture of the city before I arrived.

The Listening Room Series of jazz concerts is great. And the Red Stick Farmers Market downtown on Saturday mornings.

The warmth of the people. Highway driving.

Baton Rouge is truly a city that defies categorization.

Do you know someone dynamic who is new to Baton Rouge? Email [email protected] and include “First Impressions” in the subject line.