Wednesday, May 28, 2025

As our last year at Hamilton winds down, the senior docents have been reflecting on our time at the Wellin. We are full of immense appreciation and gratitude for every person that has contributed to our work here, including the museum staff, the safety officers, the artists we have worked with and learned from, and of course the students and visitors that make our jobs possible. As docents, our primary role is to facilitate experiences between the Hamilton and local communities and the art. And as our individual reflections demonstrate, no experience at the Wellin is the same, yet all are marked by a similar sense of community and connection, with each of us taking special lessons and memories with us well beyond our time here. 

Gabby Johnson  Docent & Education Assistant  Major: Art History Minors: Literature & Psychology

Working at the Wellin has truly been my favorite part of my time at Hamilton. It has been so fun to speak with visitors and discuss the many different things that they notice within the same artwork. Synthesizing these different ideas has definitely made me better at thinking on my feet and allowed me to notice things about an artwork that I never would have seen otherwise. My favorite visitors to work with have been the K-12 students that come to the museum for class visits, Wellin Kids, or extracurricular clubs. Teaching children that there is no wrong way to look closely at art has resulted in some humorous conversations, and I have loved getting to watch student creativity flourish while they make crafts in Archive Hall. It is a really unique opportunity to have a space like the Wellin on a college campus and I feel so lucky to not only have been surrounded by art during my time here, but to have also been a part of such a welcoming and supportive community. 

Natalie Guterman  Docent  Major: Government Minor: Art

Working at the Wellin was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college experience. The Wellin is an incredibly special place that brings together all different types of people. It connects people of all ages through their love of art and creativity. Working here made me feel more connected to both the Hamilton and greater Clinton community. I loved seeing the same families come in for Wellin Kids and building relationships with locals. Through this job, I have grown as a person, developed my public speaking skills, and fostered real friendships with the other docents. I’m so grateful for all the time I have spent at the museum and the connections I have built here. After I graduate, I will be interning with the ACLU and then looking to work in the political advocacy world. As I move forward, I’ll carry with me the deep sense of community I found at the Wellin, and let it guide me as I work to connect with and advocate for others. 

Taylor Scatliffe  Docent & Exhibition Assistant  Major: Art History

I began working at the Wellin Museum during the spring of my sophomore year, first as a student docent and later as an exhibition assistant, which started as a full-time summer position and continued part-time throughout the academic year. I applied because I wanted to improve my public speaking skills in preparation for a future career in law, and I was excited by the chance to work closely with art and artists. I’m incredibly grateful to the Wellin for trusting students with meaningful responsibilities. Being involved behind the scenes—whether conducting research, planning exhibitions, or leading tours—was a privilege that shaped both my academic and personal growth. One of my favorite parts of the job was witnessing how exhibitions come together, from curatorial conversations to choosing color palettes that reflect an artist’s vision. I especially enjoyed working with contemporary artists and supporting their creative process. Working at the Wellin gave me a deeper appreciation for how art institutions operate and the importance of making them accessible to the public. For anyone considering becoming a docent, I would say: absolutely go for it. You’ll gain valuable skills, be part of a supportive team, and contribute to something special. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a legal career focused on supporting art institutions and nonprofit cultural organizations. My time at the Wellin has reinforced my passion for art, and advocacy, and I’m so thankful to have been part of such a meaningful space. 

Bella Nadeau  Docent & Education Assistant  Major: History Minors: Art History & Education

When I first visited Hamilton I had the chance to see the Michael Rakowitz show that was up that semester. I was absolutely blown away by the caliber of artists on view, the extent of the Wellin’s collection, and the beauty of the building. That pretty much cemented my decision to apply to Hamilton and to apply to become a docent. Every day that I get to work at the Wellin is incredibly fun and rewarding. In my senior year, I took on the role of Education Assistant with Gabby Johnson ’25. As part of that role, I helped design the K-12 visits as well as the Middle School Makers program for this school year. Seeing the programs come to life and watching how much fun the kids have is incredibly rewarding. My favorite moments are when the kids come back to visit and point out the artworks they learned about! My experiences meeting artists, working as a team with my fellow docents, and leading tours will all serve me well as I hope to pursue a career as a museum curator after graduation. 

Eliza Behrke  Docent, Student Liaison, & Collection Team  Majors: Art & Psychology

I applied to work at the Wellin as a sophomore prospective art major who just loved the idea of being around and talking to people about art. But, as I continued working and took on more responsibilities, I found myself drawn to work I had never expected to enjoy. I ended up doing a lot of graphic design, something I’d previously dismissed and never imagined I’d be good at. To my surprise, I genuinely enjoyed making posters and advertising the museum and its programs. Invigorated by this new love of design, I began to work for Collection, the Wellin’s student-run magazine, in the fall of 2024. I mainly worked on layout and design, and absolutely loved every second of it. Now, I’m a student liaison, which falls a bit more under the event planning realm, but I still design posters advertising student-run events. Working at the Wellin has opened doors I didn’t know existed and introduced me to career paths I now seriously want to explore. In my time working here, I’ve grown in ways I could have never anticipated, and I’ll truly miss this absolute gem of a museum. 

Fiona Bristol  Docent  Major: History

When I began working at the Wellin in the spring of my sophomore year, I could never have imagined how meaningful the job would become––it’s difficult to put my gratitude into words. Through the Wellin, I have found a community of incredibly supportive people that constantly uplift and encourage me. I have also grown as an educator and communicator, learning how to lead tours for diverse audiences. One of my most special memories is receiving a thank you note from a student after a K-12 event. It’s still hanging up in my room. My time at the Wellin has been marked by so many of these moments, when I have seen the potential that museums have for both individual empowerment and community building. After Hamilton, I am pursuing a career in education, and whether I am in a classroom or a museum space, I look forward to applying the many lessons in empathy and thoughtful communication that I learned at the Wellin. 

Whitney Riley  Docent  Majors: Art & Sociology

My first semester at the Wellin was my sophomore spring, and ever since then I have fallen more and more in love with the Wellin Museum of Art as an institution. Having the opportunity to work here has been instrumental for my growth both as an artist myself and as someone who plans to work in arts administration after graduation. The opportunity to speak one-on-one with artists whose work we have in our collection, such as Yashua Klos, Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Donté K. Hayes, René Treviño, Craig Zammiello, and Zana Briski, has truly been such a unique and impactful experience. The Wellin staff and my fellow docent class have been such a warm, loving community and I truly cannot imagine my college experience without them. Some of my favorite memories from my time at the Wellin are from leading tours for local elementary and high school field trips. I love being able to share my passion for art with a new generation, and receiving thank you notes from younger students always brightens my day. I am going to miss the Wellin dearly as I graduate and work towards gaining full-time employment in arts administration. 

Christina Stoll  Docent & Student Education Assistant  Major: Philosophy Minors: Art History & Government

My final job as an intern at the Wellin the summer before my sophomore year was handing out posters I had designed to the incoming freshmen. One freshman asked me if I worked at the Wellin. In a slightly inappropriate fashion, I responded, "Girl, I am the Wellin." Although this response could be perceived as smug, and definitely was, I didn't truly mean it. Since the fall of my freshman year, I had taken it upon myself to become as involved at the Wellin as possible, to the extent that I could see the work I had produced tacked onto the walls of various dorms. From the beginning, my supervisor encouraged my proactiveness and my tendency to just ask to be involved. Although I certainly wouldn't respond "I am the Wellin," if asked if I worked here today, I feel the same sense of pride for being associated with such a unique institution. I've met so many mentors and peers through my work at the Wellin, who have changed me personally and professionally for the better. I will always be deeply grateful for my experience at the Wellin, and the people who actually "are" the Wellin.