## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [A night of art, design and community at the OCAD U Gala](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/4478) June 4, 2026 # A night of art, design and community at the OCAD U Gala ![Gala Co-Chairs Amy Burstyn-Fritz and Jeff Hull stand on the centre stage addressing guests during the 2026 OCAD U Gala. Attendees seated at banquet tables surround the stage while large-scale projected visuals from Solarium by OCAD U alum Cell Driver illuminate the walls of the Great Hall.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-06/2026%20OCAD%20U%20Gala%20-%20Main%20Photo%20for%20News%20Story.png.webp?itok=jy7o-yYM) Gala Co-Chairs Amy Burstyn-Fritz (left) and Jeff Hull (right) speaking to guests during the 2026 OCAD U Gala beneath projected visuals from Solarium by Cell Driver (Experimental Animation, 2022). Photo: George Pimentel Photography. rgb(255,255,255) OCAD University took on a different kind of glow on Wednesday, May 27, as more than 300 artists and designers, collectors, industry leaders and supporters attended the second annual **OCAD U Gala**. Throughout the evening, spaces were activated with projections, installations and immersive works created by OCAD U alums. The event highlighted the range of creative practices within the University’s community, and the role OCAD U artists and designers continue to play in shaping the cultural and visual life of Toronto and beyond. Artworks by Cell Driver, Golnoush Mir Salari, Simone Northey, Jordan Shaw, and Sohyun Yoon introduced moments of surprise and discovery between auction viewing, dinner and conversation, while ceramic mid-fired porcelain centrepieces created by alum artist Andria Keen added a sculptural presence to the Great Hall. The live auction featured works by OCAD U alums across painting, sculpture, photography and design, drawing enthusiastic bidding and becoming one of the evening's most talked-about moments. Following the main program, the Gala After Party brought a new burst of energy with a live DJ set, a packed dance floor and a crowd that stayed well into the night. The highly anticipated event raised **$420,000** in support of bursaries. Proceeds will help create opportunities for students to pursue their studies, expand their creative practice and explore new ways of engaging with the world through art and design. “It was remarkable to see so many friends of OCAD U gathered on this night," said Ana Serrano, president and vice-chancellor of OCAD University. "The Gala offers an immersive glimpse into the heart of our university and gives guests a real sense of the creativity and impact our students bring into the world. We're deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and to those who continue to champion art, design, and the talented students of OCAD U.” “Being part of this event for a second year has been incredibly rewarding,” said Gala Co‑Chairs Amy Burstyn‑Fritz and Jeff Hull. “The installations and digital works completely changed the feeling of the space in striking ways and showcased the range of creativity coming out of OCAD U’s alumni community. Seeing so many people rally behind emerging artists and designers is truly inspiring and reminds us of the impact this support has.” As OCAD U prepares to mark its 150th anniversary this fall, the Gala underscored the momentum carrying the University into this milestone year. OCAD U extends its sincere thanks to the sponsors, Gala Committee, participating artists, donors and volunteers whose support made the evening possible. This year’s sponsors included Presenting Sponsor The Darcy; After Party Sponsor Forma by Great Gulf, Dream and Westdale; Auction Sponsor Birch Hill Equity Partners; VIP Reception Sponsor Forum; Supporting Sponsors Nancy McCain & Bill Morneau and Hatch Ltd.; Auction Lot Sponsor Holt Renfrew; and In-Kind Sponsors Artam Design Inc., Element Event Solutions, Focal Point, Happy Pops, National Show Systems, Oliver & Bonacini Catering and Superframe. [ VIEW OCAD U GALA PHOTOS .arrow-link-long { fill: #000; } ](https://georgepimentel.dphoto.com/album/b200bp8o) rgb(255,255,255) .container { display: flex; justify-content: center; } iframe { aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; width: 100% !important; border: 0px; } rgb(255,255,255) ![Group of people posing for a photo at the Gala](/sites/default/files/2026-06/TDS_7568.jpg) **From left to right:** Rosalie Sharp, Issy Sharp, Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor, OCAD University ![Group of people posing for a photo at the Gala](/sites/default/files/2026-06/TDS_7628.jpg) **From left to right:** Rebecca Kacaba, Sondi Lidros, Alison Currie, Claire McNamara, Vanessa Yeung, Kati Head, and Sasha McGrath ![Group of people posing for a photo at the Gala](/sites/default/files/2026-06/LA2_6649.jpg) **The Darcy Team and Guests** **Front row:** Ryan Chieduch (left) and Oskar Johansson (right). **Back row:** Theresa Chieduch, David Rashid, Martha Rashid, Bernard Luttmer, Nadia Luttmer, Kate Aust, Thomas Aust, and Crystal Johansson ![Group of people posing for a photo at the Gala](/sites/default/files/2026-06/LA2_6444.jpg) Nancy McCain (left) and Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, OC (right) ![Group of people posing for a photo at the Gala](/sites/default/files/2026-06/LA2_6642.jpg) **Hatch Ltd. Team and Guests** **Front (centre):** John Bianchini **Back row (left to right):** Noah Moumdjian, Soo Jun, Mariyam Mahmud, Christian Ayaton, Emily Lawrence, Glenn Sakaki, Katia Bianchini ## 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 [### Taking graduate work beyond the studio With support from the William and Nona Heaslip Foundation, OCAD U graduate students are expanding their practice through travel, experimentation and new creative work. May 5, 2026 ](/news/taking-graduate-work-beyond-studio) [### Rosalie Sharp honoured with inaugural Chancellor’s Lifetime Achievement Award The OCAD U award recognizes Rosalie Sharp’s extraordinary contributions to the advancement of art, design and culture in Toronto and across Canada. October 22, 2025 ](/index%2Ephp/news/rosalie-sharp-honoured-inaugural-chancellors-lifetime-achievement-award) [### Celebrating the revitalization of Butterfield Park OCAD University welcomed over 100 guests to Butterfield Park on September 10 to celebrate the revitalized space and recognize the donors who made the transformation possible. September 12, 2025 ](/index%2Ephp/news/celebrating-revitalization-butterfield-park)