Name: Brian Sholis
Age: 35
Title: Associate Curator of Photography at Cincinnati Art Museum
Hometown: Chicago
Why we love him:
Because he brings know-how and a genuine sense of earnestness to his position as an arts administrator.
Brian Sholis moved to Cincinnati from his editor post at the Aperture Foundation in New York just over a year ago for his very first museum job as the Cincinnati Art Museum’s associate curator of photography. Aaron Betsky, the CAM’s former director, recruited Sholis, a historian and art critic who had previously edited for Artforum, with the intent of reinvigorating the museum’s collection and continuing its mission to make Cincinnati a center for photography.
The young writer helped redesign and relaunch Aperture magazine — a seminal publication in the photography world — for its 60th anniversary, so he is familiar with not only the state of contemporary photography, but also the unique challenges that go along with the ongoing task of making photographic collections accessible to the public.
Sholis has lived here full-time since October 2013 but he and his wife, the accomplished sculptor and painter Julia Dault, still own an apartment in New York*. (Dault has three solo shows this year alone so she kept her Brooklyn studio when Sholis moved.)
Sholis is in charge of the CAM’s first photography-dedicated space, Gallery 212, and he recently curated Eyes on the Street at the museum, an excellent photographic survey of urban public spaces for this past year’s FotoFocus Biennial. He also single-handedly spearheaded the CAM’s Big Pictures public art project, which features photographs by 18 local, national and international artists on display on 36 billboards across Greater Cincinnati. The yearlong project wraps May 31.
What aspects do you love about your job?
Working with the thousands of photographs the art museum holds in trust for the people of Cincinnati; sharing my love for photography with fellow enthusiasts and novices alike; engaging with artists about their work and its place in the world.
How do you define passion? How is passion different from love? What are you most passionate about?
You pursue things you are passionate about beyond the point of reason; love is the context that defines what is reasonable. I’m pretty passionate about desserts.
It’s Friday night after a long week. Where would you love to be?
A quick walk/hike in a park with my wife Julia and our dog; dinner at a divey, authentic Indian restaurant — ask for my favorites when you see me; home to catch up on movies, TV or magazines; in bed at a decent hour so I can watch soccer games on Saturday morning.
Finish this statement with five of your favorite things: “I love…”
My wife Julia. Traveling and new experiences. Reading. Watching Arsenal Football Club. Stimulating conversation, often about what we’re reading.
What do you love about Cincinnati?
Its park system; the scale and accessibility; arts organizations that are much better — and better supported — than you’d think for a city of this size; its friendliness.
Do you have a favorite place in Cincinnati? Why do you love it?
Choosing one is difficult, but I love walking the trails in Ault Park. They’re just long enough and just enough removed from the bustle of the rest of the city to refresh my mind.
Name someone that you love: role model, best friend, inspiration, etc., and tell us why.
Perhaps this is the obvious answer, or the one you think I’m giving so my home life will be easier, but my wife Julia qualifies as role model, best friend, inspiration and everything else positive that could go into “etc.” Every day she shows me how to be a better person, and doesn’t seem to mind that I’m always catching up to her example.
What’s the best lesson life has taught you about love?
That love is flexible. It changes moods, it plays different roles in your life, but each of those changes deepens your understanding of it. ©
* An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Sholis splits his time between Cincinnati and New York.
This article appears in Feb 4-10, 2015.