## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [OCAD U mourns passing of Natalie Piper](/markdownify/node/4595) July 23, 2026 # OCAD U mourns passing of Natalie Piper ![Natalie Piper](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-07/Untitled%20design.png.webp?itok=awapNFZz) Natalie Piper. Photo courtesy of Dr. Pam Patterson. rgb(255,255,255) The OCAD University community is saddened to learn of the passing of alum and former teaching assistant Natalie Piper (Racioppa), an internationally respected Prince Edward County-based artist who passed away on June 19, 2026. Born in Toronto with a congenital heart condition that required major surgeries throughout her life, Piper refused to let her illness limit her. She studied and graduated from OCAD U, specializing in experimental painting. Piper served as a committee member during OCAD’s transition to a university. Associate Professor Dr. Pam Patterson mourned the loss of a valued teaching assistant and friend, fondly recalling working alongside Piper on OCAD U projects such as *Through a Glass Lightly*, *COVID-19 Anxiety: Location, Refuge and Loss* and multiple [113Research](https://www.113research.ca/) exhibitions. ![Piper standing next to artwork](/sites/default/files/2026-07/nat%202.jpg) Piper standing in front of an artwork she designed with Dr. Patterson and built in conjunction Hri Neil, Carbon Art & Design.After graduation, she travelled extensively, visiting South Africa, Egypt and Ireland before settling in London, England, where she met and married her spouse, Nigel Piper. She obtained a master’s degree in printmaking from the University Centre Maidstone in Kent. Piper established herself as a respected graphic designer, becoming the first female digital illustrator for Getty Images before founding an art and design company, Art Division UK. She continued her practice as a visual artist, working in mixed and digital media. She held numerous exhibitions across North America and the United Kingdom. Piper and her spouse settled in Prince Edward County, Ontario, where she created logos, designs and layouts for multiple local businesses and organizations, including the Picton Library, the PEC Jazz Festival and the [*Picton Gazette*](https://www.pictongazette.ca/post/natalie-piper-leaves-the-gazette). ![A digital collage by Natalie Piper](/sites/default/files/2026-07/illustration-2.jpg) *Traveling Matts 1*, a digital collage by Natalie Piper. A celebration of life was held on July 20. As a tribute, the Natalie Piper Fine & Digital Arts Scholarship has been launched and fundraising is underway. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a young person from Prince Edward County between the ages of 18 and 30 to further their studies in the fine and digital arts. The scholarship can be applied to study at an accredited post-secondary institution anywhere in Canada, including OCAD U. The goal is to create an annual award that will be given in perpetuity. Any OCAD U community members interested in contributing to the new scholarship can [contact Jim Turner](mailto:jimturner.pec@gmail.com?subject=Natalie%20Piper%20Scholarship%20Fund%20-%20OCAD%20U). OCAD U extends its sincere condolences to Piper’s family, friends and neighbours. Sources: [*The Picton Gazette*](https://www.pictongazette.ca/obituaries/natalie-lilian-piper-racioppa). With thanks to Dr. Patterson. ## 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)