During this past interterm, Helene Vlok (Art History, Business Administration ’26) completed an internship at the Escalette Collection of Art. She spent most of her time creating the episodes for this year’s “The Artist is Present” podcast, the Escalette Collection’s special series hosted by Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast. The latest episodes will be released during summer 2025. In “The Artist is Present,” Chapman students, like Helene, research and interview Escalette Collection artists to create a podcast. You can find the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. 

Below, Helene writes a bit about her internship experience – the projects she tackled and the things she learned along the way. 

2025 cover for “The Artist is Present,” designed by Cassie Chan (Art History ’25).

Alexa que the intro: Four weeks, eight friendly faces, and endless opportunities.

If you would have asked me what podcasting was when I started my internship at the Escalette Collection of Art, I would have said that it is merely talking about a given topic for a specified period of time, but wow was that an understatement! From constructing questions to editing and interviewing artists within the collection to selecting the intro/outro music, I have learned that podcasting is equal parts art and science. I have also learned that asking- and transitioning between questions during interviews is not always easy… even if you are an extrovert – plot twist, I know!

However, during my time as an intern I have gained experience that extends beyond the realm of producing my first ever season of a podcast in just four short weeks. I have learned more about art acquisitions, exhibition planning, how to care for different types of artwork, and what it truly means to be part of a “museum without walls.” Through this internship I have learned to consider the significance of the placement of the artwork at Chapman University, that artworks in storage require as much love and care as those on display, and that I absolutely LOVE cleaning sculptures. 

One lesson that I had to learn the hard way, though, was that if you are recording a podcast episode, always have your hair up, especially if you have long hair, since it tends to interfere with the microphone clipped to your shirt. But hey, you live and you learn!

And that, dear readers, is a wrap on my interterm spent with the Escalette Permanent Art Collection at Chapman University! To those who made my time here so special, thank you, to all professional podcasters, I have tremendous respect for you and your profession, and to all future interns, enjoy every moment – time flies when you are having fun!

Alexa cue the outro: “Every artist was once an amateur” – Ralph Waldo Emerson


We invite you to explore all the works in the Escalette Collection by visiting our eMuseum

Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the proud home of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. The Escalette Collection exists to inspire critical thinking, foster interdisciplinary discovery, and strengthen bonds with the community. Beyond its role in curating art in public spaces, the Escalette is a learning laboratory that offers diverse opportunities for student and engagement and research, and involvement with the wider community. The collection is free and open to the public to view.