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[Onsite Gallery unveils new exhibitions and digital mural](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/2966) January 23, 2025 # Onsite Gallery unveils new exhibitions and digital mural ![Group of people posing for a photo in an art gallery](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-01/Lead.jpg.webp?itok=scg088z_) rgb(255,255,255) Onsite Gallery, OCAD University’s flagship professional art gallery, was buzzing with excitement at the launch of two new exhibitions on Jan. 22. ![Large group of people in a gallery space listening to someone talk at a mic](/sites/default/files/2025-01/54282425016_bf85997ace_k.jpg) More than 300 people attended the opening reception for [*Presence in a Past or an Undetermined Future.*](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/presence-past-or-undetermined-future-delaney-family-emerging-curators-prize)*,* guest curated by Avalon Mott, the inaugural recipient of The Delaney Family Emerging Curator’s Prize*,* and [*Fortitude/Fragile*](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/fortitude/fragile)*,* guest curated by Magda González-Mora. ![Two people in an art gallery, one looking up towards the art](/sites/default/files/2025-01/54282852210_93777b6037_k.jpg) Both exhibitions, which are on view until May 17, encourage self-reflection and mediations on human nature. Onsite Gallery will be hosting a series of [tours](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/fortitude/fragile-curatorial-tour-magda-gonzalez-mora), [discussions](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/handle-care-curatorial-practices-after-pandemic) and panel talks exploring the themes of these exhibitions as well as the artistic and curatorial practices. The evening also celebrated the new digital mural on the gallery’s façade – [*Maliina*](https://www.ocadu.ca/events-and-exhibitions/inuit-public-art-onsite-gallery), created by artist Coco Apunnguaq Lynge as part of *Up Front: Inuit Public Art @ Onsite Gallery*. *Presence in a Past or an Undetermined Future.*, curated by Mott, features work by Nabil Azab and Shannon Garden-Smith. The exhibition contemplates the present by considering the past and imagining the future. Viewers are invited to confront their own thoughts and feelings through immersive artworks. ![Colourful artwork hanging on a white wall](/sites/default/files/2025-01/54282425141_6aa36673e8_k.jpg) The opportunity for Mott to curate the exhibition was made possible by the generous gift from Kiki Delaney and The Delaney Family that led to the creation of [The Delaney Family Emerging Curator’s Prize](https://www.ocadu.ca/news/alum-spotlight-avalon-mott-inaugural-recipient-delaney-family-emerging-curators-prize). This prize supports a recent OCAD U Criticism & Curatorial Practice graduate in presenting a curatorial project at Onsite Gallery, with the goal of advancing their professional development. “*Presence in a Past or an Undetermined Futur*e. embodies the core values of Onsite Gallery, emphasizing experimental curatorial practices and deep engagement with artists and their work,” says Ryan Rice, executive director and curator of Indigenous art at Onsite. “We are thrilled to provide a platform to nurture the growth of emerging talent while fostering meaningful artistic exploration for our visitors.” Onsite Gallery also celebrated the opening of *Fortitude/Fragile*, guest curated by Magda González-Mora, a Toronto-based independent curator, art critic and consultant. This new exhibition examines the uniquely human refusal to succumb to despair in challenging times. ![Two people talking at an art show](/sites/default/files/2025-01/54282664839_2202ad19b4_k.jpg) Featuring works by acclaimed artists Sandra Brewster, Regina José Galindo, Shabnam K. Ghazi, Francisco-Fernando Granados, Coco Guzmán, Caroline Monnet, Vessna Perunovich and Anila Rubik, this exhibition highlights human resilience, the importance of regenerative learning and the importance of decisive actions. Galindo, a Golden Lion winner at the 2005 Venice Biennale, flew in from Guatemala City for a live performance titled *Oro/Gold*. Video documentation of the performance is on view for the run of the exhibition. Onsite Gallery is generously supported by The Delaney Family, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Toronto Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario. ## 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 [### Exhibition by Ateneo Art Award winner Jel Suarez opens at Onsite The opening also celebrated the new exterior mural, April Hickox: Vantage Point – Passing and premiere screening of Vantage Point: Unfolding. June 11, 2026 ](/index%2Ephp/news/exhibition-ateneo-art-award-winner-jel-suarez-opens-onsite)