Cori Wolff is a baker, skater, instigator, and curator of art in many forms. A proud New Yorker, product of public schools, and St. Lawrence River rat, Cori left her beloved North Country to study at the University of Rochester and University at Buffalo, where she earned her BA in Art History and Philosophy (2006), MA in Art History (2008), and Graduate Certificate in Critical Museum Studies (2008). She is currently Executive Director of the Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society and Longworth-Anderson Series, where she works to preserve and enhance historic Memorial Hall as a place for culture, arts, and community, in addition to managing the city’s premier contemporary, multi-genre music series featuring Grammy Award-winning talent. For the past fifteen years, she has been actively involved in her community as an artist, board member, teacher, consultant, social justice advocate, and volunteer.
Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who love and support me unconditionally.
Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I had the honor of serving for six years as Executive/Artistic Director and Gallery Curator of two esteemed nonprofit arts organizations—Buffalo Arts Studio and the Olean Public Library Visual Arts Program in Western New York—before relocating to Cincinnati to work as the Director of Public Art at ArtWorks (2014-2018). In these roles, I strove to present aesthetically and conceptually compelling exhibitions and public works of art by diverse emerging and renowned regional, national, and international artists. What I love most about my line of work is getting to utilize my creativity on a daily basis.
What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Abigail Street / Bridges Nepali Cuisine
How long have you lived or worked in our community?
almost 9 years
Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Marquicia Jones-Woods of Q-Kidz Dance Team
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Arches and Antelope Canyon — because they were inaccessible due to fires during a recent cross-country road trip visiting national parks
What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Shining / Killing Eve
What advice would you give to people?
Never stop being curious.
What is something on your bucket list?
Miami Ultraskate — 24-hour-long skateboarding event that I’m competing in next week!
Follow up note: Not only did Cori compete in the Miami Ultraskate on Feb 11 & 12, she pushed 202.94 miles in 24 hours, taking 1st place in the women’s division and 8/82 overall. Well done Cori!
What is your go to music when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Fiona Apple
What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Tacocracy in Northside
If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Ilana Glazer at Northside Yacht Club — because we all need to laugh more
What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Cincinnati Longboard Crew
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I prefer to live in the present.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was once mauled by a bull in Pamplona, Spain.
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Bryce Canyon National Park
Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August / Northside 4th of July Parade / June 18
What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
longboarding
Who inspires you to be better?
Gloria Steinem
What is one or two of your favorite smells?
the ocean
Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Upstate New York
