Natalie Piper. Photo courtesy of Dr. Pam Patterson.
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The OCAD University community is saddened to learn of the passing of alum and former teaching assistant Natalie Piper (Racioppa), an internationally respected Prince Edward County-based artist who passed away on June 19, 2026.
Born in Toronto with a congenital heart condition that required major surgeries throughout her life, Piper refused to let her illness limit her. She studied and graduated from OCAD U, specializing in experimental painting. Piper served as a committee member during OCAD’s transition to a university.
Associate Professor Dr. Pam Patterson mourned the loss of a valued teaching assistant and friend, fondly recalling working alongside Piper on OCAD U projects such as Through a Glass Lightly, COVID-19 Anxiety: Location, Refuge and Loss and multiple 113Research exhibitions.
Piper standing in front of an artwork she designed with Dr. Patterson and built in conjunction Hri Neil, Carbon Art & Design.
After graduation, she travelled extensively, visiting South Africa, Egypt and Ireland before settling in London, England, where she met and married her spouse, Nigel Piper. She obtained a master’s degree in printmaking from the University Centre Maidstone in Kent.
Piper established herself as a respected graphic designer, becoming the first female digital illustrator for Getty Images before founding an art and design company, Art Division UK.
She continued her practice as a visual artist, working in mixed and digital media. She held numerous exhibitions across North America and the United Kingdom.
Piper and her spouse settled in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where she created logos, designs and layouts for multiple local businesses and organizations, including the Picton Library, the PEC Jazz Festival and the Picton Gazette.
Traveling Matts 1, a digital collage by Natalie Piper.
A celebration of life was held on July 20.
As a tribute, the Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Scholarship has been launched and fundraising is underway. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a young person from Prince Edward County between the ages of 18 and 30 to further their studies in the fine and digital arts. The scholarship can be applied to study at an accredited post-secondary institution anywhere in Canada, including OCAD U. The goal is to create an annual award that will be given in perpetuity.
Any OCAD U community members interested in contributing to the new scholarship can contact Jim Turner.
OCAD U extends its sincere condolences to Piper’s family, friends and neighbours.
