The Genesis of Bader + Simon

the future home of Bader + Simon

The genesis of Bader + Simon is a long, meandering journey that started in the back row of a Marriott Conference room in Cincinnati, Ohio. The woman who would become my dissertation chair years later captivated me with her engaging and creative lectures that encouraged the exploration and interrogation of visual cultures. The person who led by example in the Union Institute and University Museum Studies Program added to my intrigue and interest in collecting art and facilitated an internship at the Contemporary Art Center. 

It was during this time that I made a call to the Schwartzman& group to inquire about their art advisory services. I clarified that I was only interested in purchasing a few pieces of art that could beautify my home and provide a diversified investing opportunity. The man who would become my art advisor, whom you will hear on next week’s podcast, explained that most people buy more than a few pieces once they begin collecting. I was insistent that would not be me. I was wrong.

Russell Craig. Three is a Crowd / The Death of Maurice.

I have since amassed a beautiful yet thought-provoking art collection that addresses incarceration and social justice issues. After a visit to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, I became acutely aware of the power of art in addressing topics that are rarely discussed about individuals who are frequently overlooked. As my collection grew, I serendipitously watched a UBS Collectors Circle lecture featuring Karen Boros, who discussed the Boros Collection. Karen and her husband Christian repurposed a Berlin WWII bunker into an art space where they present rotating artwork exhibitions that include items from their personal collection. Their work inspired me to begin investigating what was possible with my own collection.

Fast-forward to September of 2021, purchasing three parcels located at 1532 Race Street in Cincinnati, Ohio, and hiring Terry Boling, the architect who will turn the 1880 building into the future of Bader + Simon. The bottom floor will include two galleries. One to accommodate the permanent collection and a second space to house rotating exhibits that feature art that celebrates inclusion and diverse voices with collaborative programming. Furthermore, the space will be available for private events with a catering kitchen our pre-selected caterers will have access to.

1532 Race Street

The progress that Bader + Simon has made in the past year would not be possible without an incredible team of individuals who have been with me along the way, who signed up to be board members for this new endeavor and provide knowledge, insight, and an artistic vision. The board includes:

Anu Mitra, Ph.D., Secretary, is a faculty in the Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program at Union Institute and University, and I had the pleasure of working as her dissertation student. Dr. Mitra is the facilitator of the Museum Studies and Design Thinking Certificate programs at Union, a Fulbright Specialist, and a docent at the Cincinnati Art Museum and Contemporary Art Center. In her spare time, she loves to wander museums, read memoirs, watch films, and travel wherever the road takes her.

Kathryn Turley-Sonne, Ph.D., Treasurer, has a Ph.D. in Humanities with a certificate in Museum Studies, a master’s degree in Literature, and a bachelor’s degree in English and Composition and Rhetoric. She teaches various honors and regular English and Interdisciplinary Studies courses at Cypress College, where she is a full professor. In addition to her work on the Bader + Simon Gallery board, she is working on exhibits in London, NYC, and Westport, CT, where she is also the head of the MoCA Gives Back Program.

Bruce Maggi, Ph.D., teaches art history at Coastal Carolina University, focusing on American Indian art and how it has influenced and still influences the art of the Euroamerican culture. Although his ancestry is not from an indigenous background, his history has been steeped in interactions with American Indian cultures.

AC Panella, Ph.D., holds a Ph.D. from Union Institute & University. His research sits at the intersections of trans/gender, museum, and communication studies. He is a tenured communication professor, part of the Georgia State Trans Oral History Project, and other public history projects. He believes if life is a story, to make it a good one.

Bader + Simon building. Mural by ArtWorks.

As we proceed in the coming year, look for their curated online exhibits and programming highlighting topics unique to each of their backgrounds and specialties. We intend to engage with the Cincinnati community and beyond. We will highlight local organizations under the Community Connection portion of the website, specific to each exhibition. We are currently featuring ArtWorks, a local org that provides opportunities for artists of all ages and is responsible for many of the incredible murals that grace local walls.

Additionally, you can listen to an interview between myself and Board Member Dr. Anu Mitra on our podcast B+S With Friends. Podcast episodes will drop every other Tuesday, and bi-weekly blog posts will be published and uploaded to our site. Feel free to sign up for our mailing list to stay current on upcoming events and activities. Thank you for your interest and support. We can’t wait to share our future art and endeavors with you!