Joseph Lambert

With a natural eye for beauty, Art Instructor Joseph Lambert has spent several years viewing the world from his camera.

Before teaching in formal classrooms, Lambert spent 10 years with National Geographic Student Expeditions leading students on international photography trips. Later, in the summer of 2015, he was able to combine his love for adventure and the outdoors when he and his wife biked in Iceland for 35 days, traversing over 800 miles and taking snapshots of the rugged and beautiful mountain landscape. In 2016, Lambert received the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Educator Award.

However, Lambert does not simply sit and observe the world through a lens. After three years of teaching photography and visual arts at Winsor School in Boston, Lambert and his wife, Caroline Meliones, came to Exeter in the fall of 2016, ready to pass his passion for the arts to Exonians. Additionally, Lambert is fluent in Spanish and is an accomplished guitar player. As a dorm head to students in Wheelwright Hall and adviser to PEAN, Lambert has involved himself in the fabric of Exeter over the past two years as thoroughly as he has immersed himself in the arts.

While his unique career as a photographer for National Geographic has sent him to iconic landmarks and hidden wonders across the world over the years, Lambert highlighted the human interactions as most noteworthy. “It’s the people I’ve met along the way that have had a lasting impact on me,” Lambert said. “Genuine human connection continues to inspire my classroom pedagogy in many ways.”

In his classroom, Lambert welcomes all faculty and students to share their unique experiences and ideas in the hopes of spurring creative and engaging ideas that can be used for their art projects. “These are the raw materials that fuel our discussions and art-making,” he said.

Upper Isabel Hou, who currently takes Lambert’s 3D Design: Technology + Form + Fashion class, agreed with Lambert and noted that she values his supportive teaching style. “Mr. Lambert is very open and understanding and accepting of everybody’s unique ideas,” Hou said. “Even if we are sort of hesitant and we don’t know where to go, he always has a positive attitude…he always knows exactly what direction we want to go maybe even before we know it.”

Since his youth, Lambert has had a passion for photography. “I got my first camera when I was 12 years old and couldn’t put it down,” Lambert said. According to him, photography transformed him, and ever since then he’s had a camera in his hand. While he doesn’t expect every one of his students to become a professional photographer, he hopes they leave his class with a similar appreciation. “My sincere hope is that they leave my class having experienced some of the magic of photography that has had me under its spell for so many years.”

Lambert’s goal in the classroom is to “create a space where students can share their experiences and perspectives.” He approaches each day reminding students to be as “easy going” as possible, reminding them that learning should not be stressful. “Stress blocks creativity,” Lambert said, “so I do my best to meet students where they are at each day, listen and be understanding and create a safe space for them to be who they are and explore their creativity.”

Of the many things Lambert enjoys at Exeter, being with students in the art studio is what he loves the most. “Every student is a unique learner,” he said, “and I enjoy watching the many different ways they problem solve and come up with solutions to the artistic challenges we take on in class.”

Lambert emphasized how much he learns as much from his students as he hopes they learn from him. “Most days it feels like we are learning and exploring alongside each other, and many times I am learning from them, too.”

Chair of the Art Department Tara Lewis is well aware of Lambert’s lifelong passion for photography, which she said he refers to as his “main squeeze.” “Lambert has a special enthusiasm and connection to photography as a conversation starter and important communication tool,” she said. According to Lewis, Lambert is strongly invested in inclusion and making students feel happy in the studio. Noting Lambert’s talents outside the classroom, Lewis called him “a master of industrial design,” and she urged students and faculty to check out his collection of self-designed bags in his studio and in Wheelwright Hall.

English Instructor Wei-Ling Woo, who serves with Lambert as Wheelwright dorm faculty and PEAN adviser, also values Lambert’s positive outlook, sense of humor and friendly demeanor. “I see him trying to empower students to make the right decisions for themselves and the community,” she said. Woo especially took notice of Lambert’s friendships throughout the dorm. “He has the ability to make everyone feel welcome in their lives and in their home.”

Wheelwright residents praised Lambert’s kindness and inclusiveness. “He’s kind to everyone,” Lower Zoe Barron said, “and he seems like an open-minded kind of guy, which I appreciate.”

Upper Erin Ahern, another resident of Wheelwright, agreed with Barron and added that she appreciates Lambert’s sincerity. “He genuinely wants to know how you’re doing and what’s up,” Ahern said. “He promotes inclusion and respectful behaviors in the dorm.”

At Exeter, Lambert continues to bring his passion for photography and design. His warmth and sincerity have made him approachable to both fellow faculty and students. Lower Isa Matsubayashi commended Lambert for his supportive role in and outside of class and the dorm. “Mr. Lambert is not just a teacher or a dorm head, but he is a friend,” Matsubayashi said.