## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [Announcing Shannon Sandwell and Meera Dinh as the recipients for the 2024 Akin Studios Career Launcher! ](/markdownify/node/966) May 14, 2024 # Announcing Shannon Sandwell and Meera Dinh as the recipients for the 2024 Akin Studios Career Launcher! ![](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/assets/media/akin-news.jpg.webp?itok=YJCSlH6N) OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce [**Shannon Sandwell**](https://portfolio-shannonsandwell.format.com/) and [**Meera Dinh**](https://www.instagram.com/m.sarts) as the recipients of the 2024 [**Akin Studios**](http://www.akin.art/) Career Launcher! ![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/1.jpg) [**Shannon Sandwell**](https://portfolio-shannonsandwell.format.com/) is a Toronto-based figurative painter, whose work focuses on community and connection. Graduating from OCADU this year with a BFA in Drawing and painting, their work has already been shown at the Etobicoke Civic Center and been featured in the Toronto Star. Working on large-scale acrylic paintings and charcoal drawings, their work pieces together connections that might otherwise be missed. Website: [portfolio-shannonsandwell.format.com](https://portfolio-shannonsandwell.format.com/) Instagram: [@shannonsandwell](https://www.instagram.com/shannonsandwell/?hl=en) ![](/sites/default/files/inline-images/2.jpg) [**Meera Dinh**](https://www.instagram.com/m.sarts) is a Vietnamese artist based in Toronto who specializes in oil painting. Through the use of erotic and personal symbols, she explores the liminality between the conscious and unconscious mind and weaves her own narrative of introspection. She invites viewers to her most intimate space, where she lays bare raw vulnerability and ruminates on the inherent absurdity in life. Meera is an emerging artist acquiring a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Drawing and Painting Program from OCAD University. Instagram: [@m.sarts](https://www.instagram.com/m.sarts) Learn more about our Career Launchers at:[ https://careerlaunchers.format.com](https://careerlaunchers.format.com/) ## Other Recent News [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals. December 13, 2026 ](/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists Sankofa Square and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027. December 6, 2026 ](/index%2ephp/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### 2027 Akin Career Launcher Call For Artists OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designersand Akin have partnered since 2016 to offer this amazing annual opportunity exclusive to OCAD U graduating artists. Two(2) successful applicants will be awarded $2,000 in credits to go towards a studio space at Akin’s shared work spaces in 2027-2028, and $450 in credit for use at Remote Gallery! January 31, 2027 ](/news/2027-akin-career-launcher-call-artists) [### Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2026 Call for Artists Partial and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of our partnership which provides an exceptional career opportunity for OCAD U student artists and recent alumni. Selected artists will be given complimentary 2 year Pro Accounts ($240 value) on Partial and permanent inclusion as featured artists within the OCAD University Artist Showcase on Partial to display their works, and administrate artwork sales and rentals. December 13, 2026 ](/news/partial-x-ocad-university-artist-showcase-fall-2026-call-artists) [### 2027 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists Sankofa Square and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Selected artists will receive a fee of $500 for their artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2027. December 6, 2026 ](/index%2ephp/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists)