When illustrator and musician Max Mancuso was contemplating which post-secondary institution to attend, he wasn’t interested in a traditional art school experience. He wanted to learn how to exist as part of a holistic creative ecosystem.
Mancuso, whose parents are both artists, grew up hearing stories from his father, Vince, who graduated from the Ontario College of Art’s (later OCAD University) Fine Art program in 1983. Max stated that Vince being a proud OCA alum never influenced his decision to attend OCAD U.
“I wasn’t concerned with learning how to be an artist or get better at art, as I already got most of that from my parents,” said Max. “I wanted to learn what it's like to be surrounded by an institution built around the arts, but with the freedom to explore other academic areas I’m interested in.”
Max’s father Vince was more direct in his enthusiasm for OCAD U.
“Over the last 150 years, OCAD U has been a cornerstone for aspiring artists. Throughout its history, many great artists have taught there, directly shaping art and design in Canada and worldwide,” Vince explains. “In every field, the richness of talent among students and teachers made the school environment full of possibilities. It’s incredible to see such creativity and passion come together.”
Vince and Max Mancuso. The father and son duo are OCAD U alums and practicing artists.
Visual artist Sabrina Holmes was serving as a reservist in the Royal Canadian Navy when she decided to attend OCAD U. For her, the decision was rooted in OCAD U’s reputation as a supportive incubator of creative talent.
“I chose OCAD specifically because of its reputation. I wanted to be challenged, and I knew that going to a school known for art and design would set me up with that challenge,” Holmes explains.
Mancuso and Holmes are among the 800 OCAD U graduands from the Class of 2025-26 who will cross the stage at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday, June 19 during Convocation.
Convocation celebrates graduands’ journeys in art, design and innovation. These graduands are poised to join more than 25,000 alums who are innovating across multiple sectors, including automotive, financial, gaming, manufacturing and health care, and contribute to the province’s creative economy, which generates $28 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP.
“With increasing darkness all over the world, it is the artist’s role to create in response,” says Holmes. “We rely on the arts to thrive and communicate. Without artists, we lose what sets us apart from the darkness: tolerance.”
“I think the role of the artist is to express and release that thing boiling up within you, whatever it may be or however it may feel,” says Max Mancuso. “Art is the one channel humans really have to express themselves and discover more about themselves and each other.”
Graduand Sabrina Holmes, who serves as a reservist in the Royal Canadian Navy.
At Convocation, two ceremonies will take place, beginning with the morning ceremony at 10:30 a.m. for the Faculty of Design, followed by the afternoon ceremony at 3:30 p.m. for the Faculty of Art, Faculty of Arts and Science and School of Graduate Studies.
The festivities will begin with a welcome from Elder Elizabeth (Liz) Osawamick, who will also present gifts to Indigenous students as they cross the stage later in the ceremony.
Indigenous students will receive a stole made by Tammy Beauvais, a Mohawk fashion designer from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec. The black stoles are embroidered with OCAD U and Indigenous Student Centre logos.
The graduating class will be joined by four individuals who will receive honorary doctorate degrees for their outstanding contributions to design, arts and culture and philanthropy. This year’s recipients include arts visionary and advocate Rita Davies, C.M.; entrepreneur and digital trailblazer Joshua Greer; award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker Tanya Talaga; and distinguished scholar and philanthropist Ash K. Prakash C.M.
What’s next for this year’s grads?
Holmes, the Navy reservist, plans to continue her naval career while pursuing her artistic practice and training to become a paramedic.
Meanwhile, Max Mancuso, the second-generation OCAD U artist, hopes to continue his illustration work through storyboarding, comic making or exhibitions.
Family, friends and loved ones who can’t attend the celebrations in person can livestream the ceremonies. For more information, visit OCAD U’s Convocation page.
Sharing memories
OCAD U encourages graduands and their loved ones to share photos, videos and shout-outs on social media with the tag #OCADU2026.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025-26 and this year’s honorary doctorate recipients!
