## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/index%2Ephp/) 2. [News and Stories](/index%2Ephp/news) 3. [Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition returns](/index%2Ephp/markdownify/node/3310) April 9, 2025 # Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition returns ![A crowd of people looking at displayed artworks set against white display walls. ](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-04/53727154820_11b78818c1_c.jpg.webp?itok=P-x2SZUA) rgb(255,255,255) Be inspired at Toronto’s largest free art and design exhibition, [GradEx110](https://www.ocadu.ca/gradex)! Explore the creative work of more than 800 emerging artists and designers at OCAD University, May 7 to 11, 2025 at 100 McCaul St. The annual exhibition features the work of graduating students in every discipline, sales of student work, an alumni lounge and a special exhibition of medal-winning student work in the Great Hall. A supplemental online exhibition will also launch on May 7. **Highlights** - **Opening Night Celebration** features a bar, DJ, food truck and art installations. Exhibition and celebration open to the public, May 7, 6 to 11 p.m., Butterfield Park (adjacent to 100 McCaul) and in the auditorium. - **Drop-in drawing workshop** facilitated by Continuing Studies instructor Heather Gentleman**.** Participants will work from a still life using pencil on newsprint, exploring shade, light, composition, and more! May 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Great Hall, 100 McCaul St. - **Buy or commission original art:** buy or commission original art quickly and easily at a number of student sales areas. - **Alumni marketplace**: Explore unique art and design from OCAD U alumni at the Alumni Marketplace. Shop original artwork and handmade goods while supporting artists and designers. **Schedule:** **Wednesday, May 7** Opening Night Celebration: 6 to 11 p.m. **Thursday, May 8** Exhibition open to the public 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. **Friday, May 9** Exhibition open to the public 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. **Saturday May 10** Exhibition open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. **Sunday, May 11** Exhibition open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ## Other Recent News [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 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) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2026-27 Call for Funding Proposals for Student Groups that Support Creative Entrepreneurship on Campus The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) invites OCAD University student groups with a mandate to support entrepreneurship on campus to apply for funding for student-led initiatives that strengthen and expand the creative entrepreneurship ecosystem at OCAD U. This funding is intended to help student groups create opportunities for entrepreneurship skills development, community building, and revenue-generating activities for students and recent alumni, while reducing barriers to participation for equity-seeking individuals. November 6, 2026 ](/news/2026-27-call-funding-proposals-student-groups-support-creative-entrepreneurship-campus) [### 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) [### Call for Vendors: BAM! Holiday Art Market 2026 OCAD University's RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (CEAD) is excited to partner again with Wychwood Barns to offer a curated group of OCAD U students and recent alumni the opportunity to share a vendor table at the BAM! Holiday Art Market. October 26, 2026 ](/news/call-vendors-bam-holiday-art-market-2026)