Katherine Solender is the Acting Director of the Allen Art Museum.

What brought you to Oberlin as Acting Director?

Sharon Katherine, the previous director, went to Washington, D.C., and I had known her during her tenure, and since I had just left [after] many many years at the Cleveland Art Museum, she originally asked me to fill in on a sabbatical. However, then she left permanently and since I was ready, the opportunity presented itself to take over until a new director is found. I am holding down the fort.

What is your favorite piece in the collection?

Well, actually I have two. One is the “Turner View of Venice.” That isn’t the real title, Turner liked much longer titles. However, we have lent it to London for an exhibition. I thought the exhibition was very important, and while it was painful to part with it since it is one of my favorites, we were fortunate enough [that] Britain lent us another Turner in exchange. That achievement I will consider as one the high points of my tenure here.

My other [favorite] piece is by Joseph Writht Derby, called “Dove Dale by Moonlight.” It’s just beautiful, with an essence of quiet and serenity. [It] meant the most to me when I was a student here, you know, I needed it then and dang I need it now. And it’s wonderful because I remember how much I loved it as a student, and now I can spend time with it again.

You went to Oberlin as a student, how does it feel to be back?

Yes, I graduated in 1977. It seems very strange, because never did I think that I would be back at Oberlin in this position or not as a student. Sure, you imagine coming back for a reunion, but never living it every day. Maybe one regret is that I am not a student here. But it’s really great to be back.

What challenges do you face as Director?

Mostly maintaining the standard for which the museum is known. That involves trying to be innovative in welcoming a broad range of visitors and creating an atmosphere in which the staff will thrive. The mission of the museum is clear: to maintain this wonderful collection for the benefit of Oberlin college and surrounding community. But, it’s such a complicated world we live in now, that what used to be or at least seemed simple in the past is fraught with complications.

How did you become interested into the art world? Are you an artist?

I don’t know if I would call myself an artist, but when I was here I certainly took studio art classes. But I became interested in art history in high school. I went to a big public school in Dallas, Texas where one teacher got permission to teach an art appreciation course. And literally that changed the way I looked at the world. All of a sudden I realized that there was this whole way you could learn about everything, economics, history, religion, etc. To me it was a way to incorporate everything I was interested in.

What do you like most about working here?

It’s the people and certainly the collection. There are just amazing challenges everyday, you never know what’s going to happen. So I drive 40 miles each way and I don’t mind because every day is an adventure.

Interview condcuted by Staff Writer Julia Vogl.