By Camryn Daniels, former marketing and communications intern

Dave Wilson, who works in corporate partnerships, joined the Eiteljorg Museum more than two years ago. His responsibilities include working with companies and organizations of all sizes to create mutually beneficial partnerships that help support the museum’s featured exhibitions, signature community events and engaging public programs. Before his time at the museum, he worked at the Indianapolis Star, the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. Here are five questions to help you get to know Dave.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at the Eiteljorg Museum?

There have been so many really good ones that it’s hard to choose a favorite. As a person with no artistic ability whatsoever, the opportunity to meet and hear from the incredibly talented and diverse artists who are part of Eiteljorg exhibits and events like the Contemporary Art Fellowship, Indian Market & Festival, and Quest for the West® Art Show and Sale, has been fantastic. Meeting legendary actor and Academy Award winner Wes Studi (Cherokee Nation) was definitely a highlight!

What are your favorite hobbies?

I love being a tourist in my own town. Between new restaurants popping up, the diverse festivals and events happening almost every weekend, a vibrant arts and culture scene, there is always something new to explore and experience.

What is your favorite piece in our collection?

water song: peemitanaahkwahki sakaahkweelo by 2019 Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship artist, Hannah Claus (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte). Her incredible, mixed media installation visually reproduces the digital soundwave of a song by George Ironstrack (Miami Tribe of Oklahoma) that gives thanks to the water and expresses its importance to the Miami emergence story. I am completely amazed by her ability to conceive such an idea and her talent to then create such an innovative and meaningful work of art. I love watching the faces of visitors as they come to understand the creativity and significance of the piece.

If you could visit any museum in the world, which would it be?

Cancún Underwater Museum of Art! A museum accessed by glass bottom boat, snorkeling, and scuba diving, the nearly 500 sculptures that make up the underwater museum serve as protection for the local coral reefs.

When someone finds out you work at the Eiteljorg, what question do they always ask you?

People usually say, “I love that museum!” or “I haven’t been there in years.” Regardless of how they initially respond, after talking about current exhibitions and the reimagined Native American galleries, or signature events like Indian Market & Festival, Día de Muertos Community Celebration, and Fifth Third Bank Jingle Rails: The Great Western Adventure, the conversation usually ends with them planning to visit the museum soon.