Behind the Job: Exhibition Design

This lecture will explore the lifespan of an exhibition at a museum, from inception and design, to installation and documentation. Hear from Ola Baldych, Poster House’s Design Director, and John Lynch, Poster House’s Exhibition Manager, about how they work together to build something that supports the museum’s vision within the museum’s physical capabilities. Then, hear from Stephanie Powell, a photography professor and Poster House consultant, about her documentation of exhibitions and how her images can be used for years to come through museum-related initiatives.

Ola Baldych is a graphic designer, photographer, and visual artist living in New York where she is currently the director of design and exhibitions at Poster House, a partner at a multimedia production outfit oljo creative minds, and a frequent collaborator with Putty Dance Project in Philadelphia. Her recent collaborative project with Poster House, Print Magazine, and Times Square Arts has resulted in a large PSA campaign featuring fellow designers including Paula Scher, Milton Glaser, Maira Kalman, Edel Rodriguez, Gemma O’Brien, Emily Oberman, Matt Dorfman, and others to be screened on 1,800 Link NYC kiosks as well as on electronic billboards in Times Square, New York City, Chicago, Boston, and LA with messages of love, support, and gratitude to health care and essential workers. Ola studied at Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design in Philadelphia and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She is also an alumna of Gdansk University’s School of Law and Administration.

John F. Lynch is the Exhibitions Manager for Poster House. Since receiving his MFA from Pratt Institute in 2011 he has held many positions with galleries and exhibitions around New York City. He was the Director of Operations for Elizabeth Dee Gallery in Harlem, the Lead Installer for the internationally touring exhibition Art of the Brick. Lynch has been integral in the development of hundreds of contemporary art exhibitions, art fairs, and private collections, as well as planning and executing the installation of public and corporate art. He developed and co-ran Botanic Gallery in Bushwick, is the former Visual Arts Editor for Apt Literary Journal, and currently has a studio art practice in Brooklyn.

Stephanie Powell is an interdisciplinary artist who works in photography, video and sculpture. Recent exhibitions include Guild Hall, East Hampton, NY, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Sgorbati Projects, NYC; Mallorca Landings, Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Mills Gallery at Boston Center for the Arts. She has received grants and fellowships from the Sustainable Arts Foundation, apexart, the Jerome Foundation and the Illinois Arts Council. She received an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at Pratt Institute. Powell has been a freelance photographer in Chicago and New York City for over 15 years. Freelance clients have ranged from the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and Poster House. She is also the current advisor for the Made in NYC photography initiative which offers photographic support for NYC based manufacturers.

College Night aims to provide real resources to students who are interested in pursuing careers in art, design, and museums, with an emphasis on breaking down the pathways and barriers that can intimidate young professionals when planning for their futures. Our student programming provides professional development opportunities such as a lecture series of museum professionals across departments and throughout the world of design, as well as creative workshops, resumé reviews, and direct mentorship with our museum staffers.

College Night moved online in March of 2020, and is free of charge. To learn about the perks of becoming a Student Member at Poster House, please visit our Join page.