OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce Jenelle Smith and Kathleen Foran-Spragge as the recipients of the 2025 Critical Distance Centre for Curators, Public Art Billboard and Exhibition Essay Career Launcher!

Jenelle's work will be on display at 180 Shaw Street in August/September 2025 and will be accompanied by an essay written by Kathleen which will soon be available to read on criticaldistance.ca

 

2025 Critical Distance Centre for Curators Career Launchers recipients.


 

Jenelle Smith (b. 2001, Mississauga, Ontario) is a first generation Jamaican-Canadian visual artist based in Toronto, Ontario. Jenelle is an emerging artist delving into the intricate concepts of the mind through her dreamlike work. Working in digital and analog image-based media, Jenelle aims to speak upon thought provoking topics such as, mental health, technology, race, and family. Jenelle strives to challenge conventional perceptions and spark conversations through her work.

Website

Instagram


Kathleen Foran-Spragge is an independent researcher, curator, and writer interested in how patterns of listening and sounding may be transformed to support relationships between humans and with the more-than-human. Her MFA Exhibition Thesis at OCAD U explored how sound and movement can be used to form connections across linguistic divides.

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Learn more about our Career Launchers at: https://careerlaunchers.format.com

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