Briana Dolan Interview
Briana Dolan | @renofineartscollective
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who you are, where you’re from and what you do.
I’m Briana Dolan- Bri for short, mostly to avoid the cringe-worthy ‘anna’ vs ‘ana’ pronunciation of my first name (it’s ‘ana’ like ‘fauna’). I’m a child of both coasts so my first love was the Atlantic Ocean, joining the world in Rhode Island, then the Pacific, spending my school days in Orange County, CA. Water was a constant friend as I swam and played water polo through college.
Now I’m a mother to 2, soon to be 3, and my life has been happily changed for the better since last summer when we moved our family from Ridgefield, CT, to Reno, NV, where my husband grew up. There’s no ocean- but there is a large lake (Tahoe) that has surprised me in its ability to make me feel grounded despite being landlocked. Reno gets a bad rap literally everywhere else, but it’s actually the biggest, most beautiful little city surrounded by mountains and chock-full of incredibly welcoming, kind and passionate people. My parents followed a few months behind us and instantly fell in love with the area as we hoped they would. Before Reno, my dad and I had both been entrenched in the design scene in NYC - he running ICFF, the largest design trade show in the US, and me leading the communications for Adam Tihany, an internationally celebrated hospitality designer. With the pandemic, our industries were hit hard. In the absence of a 9-5, we focused on our art (he’s an oil painter) for the first time really ever and we talked about trying to sell the pieces that were beginning to stack up. One look into Reno’s art community changed our perspective dramatically. We had no idea that this region was teeming with creative talent- from the large installations of Burning Man to landscape inspired canvas work to intricate sculpture and bespoke creations in furniture, lighting and jewelry. It was revolutionary for us, especially with all of the time we’d previously spent in LA and New York. Thus came the Reno Fine Arts Collective, officially launched this past February. We’ve since been building our online presence, adding local artists to the collective and digging our heels into this intricate, blooming community. Our big plans include a physical gallery in downtown Reno and, working with my dad’s background, Reno’s first international art show to launch September Reno Tahoe International Art Show around the Great Reno Balloon Races, which is quite a draw to our city every year. The end goal is to change the way Reno is viewed outside this city. It is not ‘Reno 911’ or the lesser version of Vegas- Reno-Tahoe is truly a destination for the arts, and we will do all we can to allow for the world to see that.
“Collage allows and embraces mistakes and each adds to a more interesting ending. To me, what could be more perfect? Everything in balance and harmony and each piece brings new life to the story.”
How did you get your start as an artist?
I’m an October baby and very much a Libra- everything in balance. I discovered collage accidently, first in middle school binder decorations and then happily finding a way into school projects and college classes and later gifts for family and friends. I gravitate toward wood as a canvas, typically reclaimed or tossed, and I use high quality magazine paper (Afar & National Geographic, mostly) to create the image. I love to make things, but I'm easily frustrated by mistakes. Collage allows and embraces mistakes and each adds to a more interesting ending. To me, what could be more perfect? Everything in balance and harmony and each piece brings new life to the story.
What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve lived in many cities, but as an introvert and an overthinker, I never gave myself the gift of ownership of the city I lived in. It was my parent’s choice, then the city of my school or my job. But now, as a full-blown adult, I am owning my choice to be in Reno and become a part of the community heartbeat. I never thought meeting people would be a highlight. I hate networking and I hate putting myself ‘out there.’ But - I love talking to artists, working with local businesses and getting energized by the uniqueness and the shared excitement of each person we meet with. It’s a happy surprise that fuels the fire every day.
“..seeing the world with the people you love is one of life’s greatest gift.”
What do you find the most challenging?
Again with the overthinking, the constant worry...can we actually do something with this idea? Will it work? Will I have to find another job in the meantime? How can I juggle?
When things get tough, where do you find the inspiration to keep moving forward?
This will sound cheesy, but the answer is 100% my husband. Mike’s been inspiring me and encouraging me to chase the big dreams since we became friends on a floating university (Semester at Sea) just off the coast of Halifax. We circled the globe together on that trip, finding comfort on the water and in our friendship. That was 11 years ago, but we’ve been sailing together ever since.
Who is another collagist you admire most and why?
Not technically a collagist, but some might agree to include him in this category - Gustav Klimt. I love the gold, the intricate pattern, the balance of geometry and natural movement. His work is a dream I would like to permanently float into. Which is why I did - for nearly 6 years (very sporadically)- recreating The Kiss in collage form. That project started on reclaimed wood from a Queens junk yard and moved to CT and was finally completed in Reno last year. It was the real start to considering my collage hobby ‘art.’
Tell me something unusual that makes you happy.
Rain- walking or running in it. Birds. Taking off, not landing. Sunrises. Cutting up magazines and organizing everything by color. The movie The Birdcage. Turning trash into something beautiful.
Anything weird on your bucket list?
Only to travel more - seeing the world with the people you love is one of life’s greatest gift.
Top three songs you keep on repeat?
I’m big on The Strokes right now, and Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers remain the favorites, but there are a few random songs that have snuck into all my playlists- Fireworks by Animal Collective, Now That I’m Older by Sufjan Stevens and Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes.
How do you fuel for the day?
Coffee, always coffee. It’s a sore subject right now but I’m limited to two cups (9 months is a very long time), but I've upped my chocolate intake to make up for it.
Tell us about your vision for the future. Go big! We want to root you on!
Oh just a few things… I want to launch a super successful art show here in Reno, create a glorious gallery that hosts the best parties downtown has ever seen, sell local art to the locals as well as outside collectors and change forever the way Reno-Tahoe’s creative landscape is viewed both internally and externally. ...Too much?
Briana Dolan | @renofineartscollective
