## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [GradEx 111 attracts nearly 50,000 visitors ](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/4440) May 12, 2026 # GradEx 111 attracts nearly 50,000 visitors ![Visitors at the opening night of GradEx 111. ](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-05/Crowd%20shot%20GradEx.jpeg.webp?itok=ggC-5lNt) rgb(255,255,255) OCAD University’s GradEx, the 111th Annual Graduate Exhibition, attracted 48,000 visitors during the May 6 to 10 event, the biggest crowd in event history. GradEx is not only the largest free art and design exhibition in Toronto but also one of the largest and most-attended student art and design exhibitions in the world. ![Visitors explore the gallery space at the printmaking section during GradEx 111](/sites/default/files/2026-05/Printmaking%20and%20publications.jpeg) “As OCAD University is about to enter its 150th anniversary, the growing popularity of GradEx signals our continued relevance as the centre of emerging creative talent in Canada,” says OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano. “Our students continue to innovate – whether it’s working in traditional mediums, digital and AI or most interestingly, the blending of both. OCAD U students showcased the incredible range of what art and design can do from thought-provoking artwork to complex system designs.” In addition to showcasing the work of approximately 800 graduating art, design and digital maker students, the event also featured: - An opening night celebration featuring an outdoor party which attracted 10,000 guests; - A reception and tours for industry leaders, ranging from art and design to tech looking to hire the next generation of emerging talent; - Pop-up shops, sales and an alumni maker marketplace; and - A GradEx lounge with an OCAD U merch pop-up shop featuring a new Roots collaboration, a [Dark Horse café](https://darkhorseespresso.com/) pop-up and sponsor activations. ![Visitors at the MAAD exhibition space during GradEx 111](/sites/default/files/2026-05/MAAD.jpeg) While the event is over, people can still continue to view student work on a supplemental [online exhibition](https://eportfolio.ocadu.ca/exhibition/details/8ef6aa4a-16d8-41a7-9c86-961c47060a40). [Medal winners](https://www.ocadu.ca/news/ocad-u-announces-2025-26-medal-recipients) for each program were also announced at GradEx. OCAD U is very thankful to GradEx 111 presenting sponsors [Hullmark](https://www.hullmark.ca/) and [BGO](https://bgo.com/) for their generous support. ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### OCAD U’s Global Centre for Climate Action and EU bring large-scale art to Toronto’s Canada Malting Silos The Light and Melting Temporalities transformed the waterfront into a canvas for climate reflection. October 6, 2026 ](/news/ocad-us-global-centre-climate-action-and-eu-bring-large-scale-art-torontos-canada-malting) [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Projections Program Call for Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) and Critical Distance Centre for Curators (CDCC) have partnered to co-create CDCC Projections Program Career Launcher. Four (4) to five (5) selected emerging artists will receive $690 to exhibit work in a single channel, projection-based screening program that will be displayed at the CDCC in March 2027. October 30, 2026 ](/news/2027-critical-distance-centre-curators-projections-program-call-artists) [### OCAD U’s Global Centre for Climate Action and EU bring large-scale art to Toronto’s Canada Malting Silos The Light and Melting Temporalities transformed the waterfront into a canvas for climate reflection. October 6, 2026 ](/news/ocad-us-global-centre-climate-action-and-eu-bring-large-scale-art-torontos-canada-malting) [### Call for Project Participants: From Our Points of View Encounters with Artists A student-led year-long visiting artist project, under the mentorship of Governor General's Award winning artist Max Dean September 30, 2026 ](/news/call-project-participants-our-points-view-encounters-artists)