## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [OCAD U Welcomes Van Maltese as Summer Artist & Mentor-in-Residence](/markdownify/node/3048) February 10, 2025 # OCAD U Welcomes Van Maltese as Summer Artist & Mentor-in-Residence ![On the left, a headshot of Van Maltese. On the right, one their pieces (oil on panel, powder coated steel, wood, acrylic paint, magnets)](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2025-02/Thirdspace_Van_Artwork.png.webp?itok=Pd2LVV2e) Left: Photography by Brittany Carmichael. Right: Circling the drain, 2018. Images courtesy of Van Maltese. **THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Intensive Program 2025** OCAD U announces new month-long residency designed for interdisciplinary emerging artists guided by OCAD U alum and Summer Artist & Mentor-in-Residence, Van Maltese. This immersive program offers a unique opportunity to develop new work, experiment with techniques, expand artistic practices, and showcase final projects. The 2025 residency theme, **“Hypothesizing How We See,”** invites artists to explore conflicts of perception as a means of reshaping understanding. Through play, experimentation, critical inquiry, and collaboration, participants will examine how ambiguity and fluidity can open new ways of thinking, seeing, and engaging with the world. **Residency Highlights:** - Mentorship from our Summer Artist & Mentor-in-Residence - Dedicated studio space to develop and refine work - Access to specialized facilities (based on experience and technical skills) - Hands-on workshops designed to expand artistic practice - Reading discussions and guest talks with leading artists and thinkers - Cultural field trips to enrich creative perspectives - Final group exhibition showcasing work developed during the program **Key dates:** - **Early bird deadline:** Sunday, March 2, 2025 (Save $200 off program fee) - **Final application deadline:** Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - **Program dates:**  Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 27, 2025, with recommended arrival and departure dates are Sunday, June, 1 and Saturday, June 29, 2025. ![A collage picturing four studio spaces at OCAD U. Top and bottom left: Painting studios with easels. Top right: Screenprinting studio. Bottom right: Photography cove studio.](/sites/default/files/2025-02/Thirdspace_StudioSpaces.png) **2025 Summer Artist & Mentor-in-Residence: Van Maltese** Van Maltese is an interdisciplinary artist whose work employs trickery, illusion, and associative play to deconstruct the experience of perception. Fascinated by pattern recognition, brain plasticity, and the fluidity of sight and sound, Maltese explores how perceptual conflicts can reshape thinking. Based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Maltese is an OCAD University alum (Class of 2010) and has received major recognitions, including the 2012 RBC Canadian Painting Competition national prize and the 2018 Glenfiddich Artist-in-Residence Canadian prize. Most recently, they served as the 2023 International Randall Chair in Painting at the School of Art and Design at Alfred University. This summer, they will bring their expertise, curiosity, and mentorship to THIRDSPACE, guiding emerging artists through this immersive one-month residency and mentorship program. [ APPLY TO THIRDSPACE .arrow-link-long { fill: #000; } ](https://apply.ocadu.ca/register/thirdspace) ## 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 ](/news/2027-sankofa-square-black-history-month-digital-exhibition-call-artists) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### OCAD U Opens Applications for THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Residency 2026 OCAD University announces the 2026 edition of THIRDSPACE: Emerging Artist Summer Residency, led by Erdem Taşdelen. December 3, 2025 ](/news/ocad-u-opens-applications-thirdspace-emerging-artist-summer-residency-2026) [### Successful OCAD U grads giving back to students and alums Photo above (from left to right): Ahmad El Sarraff, founder of A77 Inc., arts/cultural sector expert Sagan MacIsaac and Tiah Khuu, a partner and creative direct October 17, 2024 ](/news/successful-ocad-u-grads-giving-back-students-and-alums)