OCAD University - 135 Years of Imagination
This autumn marks the 135th anniversary of OCAD University, and we have so much to celebrate! A series of events and initiatives are underway to mark the occasion. Celebrations begin with the Chancellor's Welcome Back Event on Thursday, September 8 with an official, external launch of the anniversary planned for October (see below for event details).
135 Years of Imagination logo
A special logo celebrating the anniversary has been created and is available in the I:Drive for use. Please be sure to review our Graphic Standards Guide, and if you have any questions about how to use it, contact OCAD U's Marketing & Communications office. A limited run of stationery with the 135 logo will be made available in September. The I:Drive is accessible to administrative staff; faculty members can contact Marketing & Communications for files.
Integrated marketing strategy and creative campaign
OCAD U has retained the services of an agency that, with University Relations and Marketing & Communications, will roll out an integrated marketing campaign, including a public relations strategy and a limited media buy. The campaign's goals are to reposition OCAD University with our new visual identity, grow our brand awareness, celebrate and communicate our 135th anniversary and build appreciation for our evolution and new academic and research offerings.
Special 135th anniversary edition of Sketch magazine
Ever wonder what our students were making in the 1920s, or which Group of Seven members worked at OCAD University? This year's special edition of Sketch magazine showcases the evolution of OCAD U-from 1876 to the present day-and includes pictures from the archives, essays from our deans, along with feature stories from such writers as Toronto Star columnist Christopher Hume. The issue comes out in early September and you can pick up your copy at the Chancellor's Welcome Back Event on September 8.
135th Anniversary Marquee Events
A series of events over the course of the year celebrate the university, including:
Chancellor's Welcome Back Event
Thursday, September 8, 4 to 7 p.m.
All students, faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the beginning of the new academic year in Butterfield Park! Read more...
Art Creates Change: The Kym Pruesse Speaker Series:
Ricardo Dominguez
Tuesday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
How might artists and digital activists respond to the 3rd or 4th World War? Ricardo Dominguez is a proponent of tactical media, transparent hacking, and virtual sit-ins, among many other possible actions and art projects. Read more...
Alumni Association Socials
OCAD U's Alumni Association presents a series of socials offering OCAD U alumni a chance to schmooze! Starts September 20. Read more...
Scotiatbank Nuit Blanche at OCAD U: Future Forward
Saturday, October 1, 6:59 p.m. to sunrise
Sci-fi and cinematic endeavours will explore an imagined future and celebrate OCAD University's visionary spirit and forward-thinking outlook. Featuring work by Philippe Blanchard (H2.0 Collective), Louise Noguchi and Kelly Richardson. Read more...
The Way we Were: 135 Years at OCAD Univeristy
October 14 to November 4
The Learning Zone hosts an exhibition of photographs that look back at the history of Canada's largest art & design school. Come view documents and photographs from the school's modest beginnings and the development of the campus and its architecture. Current students, faculty and staff will be intrigued to view the evolution of life at OCAD U over the years, inside of the studio and out. Read more...
Colloquium: Revisioning the Indians of Canada Pavilion:
Ahzhekewada, Let Us Look Back
October 15 and 16 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily)
Hosted by the Aboriginal Visual Culture Program at OCAD University in partnership with the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective (ACC), this colloquium responds to and embodies the vision of the Indians of Canada Pavilion, (1967) and its continuing impact on indigenous art and cultural production today. Read more...
Toolbox
October 26 to 27
Designed to renew the focus on fabrication and studio-based education, Toolbox is a trade-show-style event, accompanied by an issue-based panel discussion. Read more...
Look Inside, Digifest, Reception celebrating OCAD U's 135th anniversary
Saturday, October 29
A fun-filled day celebrating all that is OCAD University. Look Inside, OCAD U's annual open house for prospective students, showcases who we are and why we're the best choice for budding artists and designers. Digifest is a city-wide celebration of digital innovation, and includes events at OCAD U. All this, wrapped up in a big red bow to celebrate the date of our 135th birthday, and the official launch of a year-long celebration, with a fun-filled party for all.
Seeing OCAD University: Highlights from the Paul & Joyce Chapnick Collection
An exhibition celebrating OCAD University's 135th Anniversary
Opening Reception and Birthday Party
Saturday, October 29, 4 to 6 p.m. (remarks at 5 p.m.)
Diane Pugen, Elephantasy: it’s all about awareness, 1983. Onsite [at] OCAD U celebrates the university's 135th anniversary with an exhibition of acclaimed work by OCAD University community members collected over thirty years by Joyce and Paul Chapnick. The Chapnicks' outstanding compilation includes Rudolf Bikkers, Graham Coughtry, Ken Danby, Eldon Garnett, Irene Healey, Suzy Lake, William McElcheran, John Newman, Diane Pugen, Richard Robertson, John Scott, Michèle White, Colette Whiten and many more.
President's Speaker Series: Gilberto Gil
Monday, November 7, 6:45 p.m.
The series kicks off with a talk by Brazilian cultural hero, musician and statesman, Gilberto Gil. Not to be missed, Gil is as famous for his contributions to bossa nova as he is for his social, environmental and cultural political activism.
Faculty of Design Speaker Series:
"Material Matters: New Smart Materials & Applications"
Thursday, November 17, 6:30 p.m.
The series kicks off with a panel discussion featuring Blaine Brownell (University of Minnesota, School of Architecture and Founder, Transstudio/ Transmaterial), Els Ziljstra (Creative Director and Founder of Materia, Netherlands) and Stephanie Forsythe (Principle and Founder of MOLO Designs, Vancouver). Register for tickets (free).
Image: Carol Condé and Karl Beveridge, The Plague, 2009.Art Creates Change: The Kym Pruesse Speaker Series:
Carol Condé and Karl Beveridge
Thursday, February 9, 7 p.m.
Long-time collaborators Carol Condé and Karl Beveridge have pioneered new ways of representing the resilience and resistance, struggles and strivings, of working peoples. Read more...
Sumo Robot Challenge
Saturday, March 3, 1:30 to 4 p.m. (main event)
One of the most anticipated annual events at OCAD U, the SUMO Robot Challenge features homemade robots in competitions ranging from dancer/painter, autonomous, and full out head-to-head combat! This year the event celebrates 20 years!
2012: OCAD U Alumni Exhibition
March 9 to 30 at the Gladstone Hotel
This juried exhibition and sale, organized by OCAD U's Alumni Association, features work by all of the university's twelve undergraduate disciplines. Deadline for submissions is December 1. Read more...
Art Creates Change: The Kym Pruesse Speaker Series:
Shu Lea Cheang
Wednesday, March 7, 7 p.m.
Cheang is visionary in drafting sci-fi narratives for her art works, traversing between hard and soft, sex and polities, fiction and reality, fantasia and earth-bound. Read more...
Project 31
Thursday, March 29
Join OCAD U for a live auction featuring 31 works by OCAD U faculty, in support of scholarships and programs.
97th annual Graduate Exhibition
May 2 to 6
This year's Graduate Exhibition has been extended in length, and includes a special Alumni Family Day event on Saturday, May 5. Read more...
OCAD U's First Alumni Day
Saturday, May 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Alumni Day is open to all alumni and their families and is part of OCAD U’s 97th annual Graduate Exhibition. Join us for this fun event, featuring: an alumni welcome from OCAD U President, Dr. Sara Diamond, an outdoor BBQ, guided tours of the Medal Winner’s Exhibit
and fun activities for kids. Read more and register...
Spring Convocation and Chancellor's Installation
Friday, June 8
We book-end our 135th anniversary celebrations by launching our newest graduates out into the world, and officially installing Kiki Delaney in her position as our new Chancellor.
More events are in the planning stages with details to come soon. Be sure to visit www.ocad.ca/eventscalendar for updates!
Please join in the celebrations and spread the message! If you have any questions about the above events and initiatives please contact OCAD University's Marketing & Communications office at 416-977-6000 Ext. 4882 or jnorthwayfrank@ocad.ca.
Last Modified:3/7/2012 11:06:03 AM
Imagination Is Everything
