49 Oak

Current & Upcoming

Wait & Look

Nora Hanlon, Carolyn Day and Ella Irving

Ambling down a wooded trail, sunlight filtering through the canopy above-sitting in a meadow amongst golden grasses that swirl into one another-standing on the beach, letting the waves come up to meet your feet; a meaningful relationship with the earth is formed when we slow down and let it reveal it’s gentle magic to us. Photgrapher Nora Hanlon, painter Carolyn Day and graphic designer Ella Irving observe the landscapes that surround them- lush, wounded, vast and entangled. Keely aware of climate change, habitat loss, and waste production, they propose connection instead. They each collaborate with the landscape habitually, allowing plants, tides and earth to spur contemplation and creation. Their work encourages the environmentally compassionate to discover all the richness that they can glean from the world around them by deciding to Wait & Look.

About

49 Oak is a flexible, experimental space where students gain real-world experience presenting their work to the public. Through pop-up shops, exhibitions, and project-based programming, students build essential professional skills; curating, installing, promoting, documenting, selling, and staffing exhibitions, under the guidance of Artists at Work and faculty mentors. During the summer, 49 Oak shifts its focus to showcasing work by the College’s alumni, strengthening professional networks and career pathways.

As a living laboratory, 49 Oak prepares students for the following:

Professional Exhibition Experience

Ability to plan, curate, and install exhibitions and pop-up shops
Experience working with timelines, budgets, and shared creative spaces
Confidence presenting work to public audiences, clients, and collectors

Sales & Entrepreneurial Skills

Experience pricing artwork and products
Understanding point-of-sale systems, inventory, and customer interaction
Preparation for freelance, self-employed, and small business models

Marketing & Promotion Skills

Portfolio-ready documentation of exhibitions and work
Experience writing artist statements, wall text, and promotional copy
Understanding how to promote creative work through events, email, and social media

Project Management & Collaboration

Experience working in teams with defined roles and responsibilities
Ability to manage deadlines and deliverables tied to real outcomes
Skills in problem-solving, adaptability, and professional communication

Career Pathways & Job Readiness

Preparation for roles such as gallery assistant, exhibitions coordinator, studio assistant, arts administrator, or creative producer
Transferable skills applicable to museum, nonprofit, retail, and creative industry jobs
Clear articulation of skills and experience on résumés, CVs, and in interviews

Professional Networks