Chimemelie Okafor has been named the inaugural recipient of the Parkside People’s Choice Award at OCAD University’s annual graduate exhibition, GradEx 111, held from May 6 to 10.
Okafor, a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer, was selected through audience voting. Almost 50,000 visitors attended GradEx 111, Toronto’s largest free and art and design exhibition, viewing works by more than 800 emerging designers, artists and digital media makers.
"As both the general manager of Parkside and an OCAD University alum, it is incredibly meaningful to support the next generation of artists and designers and recognize the outstanding achievements of these graduates, and to recognize Chimemelie Okafor through the Parkside People’s Choice Award,” said Daniel Travieso. Parkside is a proud housing partner of the University, supporting the institution’s major initiatives such as GradEx and the O Days orientation program.
“GradEx has always been a celebration of bold ideas, creativity and the incredible talent emerging from OCAD U, and it is an honour to witness the passion and innovation reflected in this year’s work,” continued Travieso. “It is especially rewarding to support a community at Parkside where so many OCAD U students choose to live, create, and collaborate. With Parkside’s close proximity to campus and dedicated creative spaces, we are proud to support students as they continue developing their craft and shaping the future of creative industries.”
Parkside’s commitment to visual arts is also reflected throughout the property through a curated collection of original works by Matt Cohen, Guy Whitby, Jenny Beorkrem, and internationally recognized artist Okuda San Miguel, whose vibrant mural has become a defining feature of the space. These pieces connect the student community to themes of diversity, community, music, and broader cultural expression, while reflecting the stories of local communities alongside Canadian and global values.
The building also features many amenities that align with the creative and collaborative nature of many OCAD U programs. This includes a dedicated Create Room (pictured above) outfitted with easels, paint supplies and studio-style workspace ideal for students in Fine Arts and Design disciplines. The Games Room is appealing to students in programs such as Experimental Animation and Digital Futures where creativity, storytelling and interactive experiences intersect.
Parkside’s Innovation Room (pictured above) provides collaborative digital workspace equipped with a whiteboard wall and group study area that supports brainstorming, critiques and project development across a wide range of creative and interdisciplinary programs.
Parkside is located just 1.6 km from OCAD U, offering convenient access to campus via the 506-streetcar line and the subway’s Line 1, providing students with a straightforward and accessible commute.
ABOUT CHIMEMELIE OKAFOR
Working primarily with oil paint, Okafor also explores drawing and collage. Her practice is rooted in storytelling, using colour, patterns, and surreal imagery to explore the complexity of the human experience through her own lens.
Her oil painting process involves building layers of colour and pattern to produce visually compelling compositions. This approach reflects the material and process-based qualities of West African textile production.
Her paintings include recurring motifs such as circles, spirals, curved lines and polka dots which represent the spiralic flow of time understood by the Igbo people of Nigeria. Together, her works aim to make visible knowledge systems that have historically been displaced, while affirming their relevance in the present.
“Things Fall Apart”, oil paint on canvas, 48" x 60", 2026, by Chimemelie Okafor.
