I would argue that Jane Condon impacted the arts community in Jacksonville more than anyone in our history. Her impact on teaching artists - who she championed with tenacity - and the thousands of young creatives across all disciplines is unmatched. And if we add on to that remarkable legacy her presence in the community - serving cultural organizations, SHOWING UP at plays, exhibitions, concerts and more - it is mind blowing. She was both an institution builder (which to do so in this city is extra challenging if you are a woman) and a cheerleader of individuals. I miss seeing her pop into DA and the Yellow House with her words of encouragement and her genuine curiosity. Arts education lost its greatest champion with Jane's leap to the other side, but the seeds have been planted in many of us and it is our obligation to her to tend and care for what she left behind.
6
2011, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, San Diego Road, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Showtime 25 Alumni performance
— with
Jane and Tracy Meade Mecom C/O ‘92
1
Jane is maximally responsible for my being here. She hired my late partner, Linda Max Collins, the love of my life, to teach at DA. When Linda accepted my self-invitation to join her here, Jane was the first person she chose for me to meet in order to convince me that Jacksonville is a vibrant cultural venue in which my commitment to her would flourish. So I deeply mourn Jane's passing, and I hope that her spirit, with Linda's, will continue to live with her students, colleagues, and friends, in making Jacksonville a caring and accepting community for the arts, literature, and culture.
0
She had presence .... respected .... was a visionary .... let teachers "run" with their creative ideas .... a force in the arts community .... strong belief in students' worth .... had the ability to bring out the best in students and teachers. The arts community lost one of its greatest cheerleaders!
Ken Hatcher
4
My favorite Jane story was our visit to Florence. As we were all oohing and ahing over the magnificent David , we saw Jane slowly walking around the statue, doing something with her fingers.
“Jane, what are you doing?” Someone asked.
“Oh, just leaving a little bit of Bill here in one of his favorite places.“ She had indeed come with a Ziploc bag of Bill‘s ashes to leave along the way.
2
I loved Jane. She was such an outstanding principal at DASOTA and La Villa. She was a special friend who was interesting and fun to be with and interested in what was going on in the lives of the people she loved - her family, her friends, and her students. She was a very good listener and always willing to help find a solution for those who approached her with concerns. I’m very glad that she was a part of my life for thirty five years. She was an amazing human being.
1
Jane Condon was one of the best friends I ever had. We met on a trip to Germany with Jackie Cornelius in 1998. I was rooming with Judy Hall and Jane with Carolyn Gentry. Since Jane had lived in Germany for two years, she was a great source of information and the four of us barreled our way through the trip having great fun and many laughs. That was the beginning of a long friendship. While Jane and I had experienced very different career paths – hers in arts and education and mine in business- we found we had a lot in common in how we had managed people and viewed our leadership roles.
We had many years of shared experiences from the Jacksonville Symphony to a Chamber of Commerce trip to China. Guy Anderson, my significant other at the time and now my husband, and I introduced Jane to Dan Selhorst. Guy was a sailboat partner with Geoff Selhorst. Geoff’s father had gone sailing with us once and we decided to have a dinner party to introduce Dan to some friends. In all honesty, we had thought Dan might like to meet Martha Barrett. Jane, who had never expressed any interest in meeting men after the death of her husband Bill, was immediately taken with Dan. And so began another chapter of Jane’s life. We were friends, we were family. I have so many endearing stories about Jane and Dan.
I will miss her energy, her enthusiasm, her wisdom and her insight. One of Jane’s gifts was her ability to accept people just as they presented themselves. She was a bright light in this community and an inspiration to many of us. Thank you, Jane, for being a part of my life. You are in my heart and fond memories.
2
So many people are saddened by the loss of lovely Jane. I always enjoyed seeing her at various events and am so appreciative of the impact she had on education. What a dear person.
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