Nathalie Nostrand '17 (Studio Art)

Alumna Biography

[ See also a slide show of Nathalie's work below... ]

Originally from Vermont, I graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2017 and immediately moved to NYC to pursue a career in the arts. While working in the production industry was never part of the plan, I found myself in a niche role at an event fabrication shop and after several years of growth and exploration in that space, I decided to branch out and work for myself.

As an events Producer and a Set Designer for commercial projects, I often bridge the gap between creative vision and budget management. These seemingly distinct responsibilities directly reflect my studies at St. Lawrence — an unexpected full-circle occurrence. Running my own company and overseeing production budgets draws heavily on the foundation I built as a business major, while my work as a designer allows me to fully engage my creative side and longstanding passion for the arts, which was always the ultimate goal when I started this journey.

My advice to current and prospective St. Lawrence students is to explore options while you can. Internships are important and though reaching out and speaking to industry professionals may be intimidating, it is critical in making sure the path you think you want is the path that is right for you. Though I mostly love what I do, I wish I did a better job of understanding the strengths and pitfalls of my industry before I was too deep and setting my expectations for work/life balance. Production is many things; exciting, fast paced, glamorous, rewarding, but I would emphasize to people who enjoy structure in their lives that it may not be the right career choice for them. Having a foundation of understanding for each field of work will help you make an informed decision about your career and set you in the right direction, particularly in positions that are not so structurally defined, such as those in the arts.

Enjoy your time at St. Lawrence — get close with your professors and your peers down the hall. Every connection you make is a good one – make an effort to branch out from your immediate group of friends. Having as many SLU acquaintances as possible is one of the greatest gifts you will get and you never know how close you might become with someone who was once just a classmate (especially post-grad). Your future self will thank you for casting a wide net.

To prospective students: St. Lawrence taught me so many lessons and opened so many doors that I never knew I wanted or needed. Four years goes by so fast, but spending them in Canton is a truly unique experience. The intimate class structure may look "too small" but it's just another opportunity to get close and cross paths with more people in a setting where you can actually get to know them. Take the opportunity, the network, the outdoors and the professors that St. Lawrence has to offer. You won't regret it.