Congratulations to the OCAD University students, faculty and alums who received awards at the 2025 Toronto Outdoor Art Festival (TOAF)! The TOAF, one of Canada’s largest and longest-running annual contemporary art fairs, was on view at Nathan Phillips Square from July 11 to 13.

Since 1961, the fair has helped launch the careers of thousands of artists and designers. More than 400 artists and makers participate in the TOAF each year, including many from the OCAD U community.

Visitors to this year’s TOAF also had the opportunity to explore Interwoven Currents, a curated selection of work by five talented emerging artists whose unique visions and creativity were featured at GradEx 110, OCAD U’s annual graduate exhibition.

This year, the outstanding talent of several OCAD U students, faculty and alums were recognized with awards. The recipients include:

  • Alex Hall (2025 Alum, Photography) – Best of Student Award
  • Alicia Tian (Master of Fine Art candidate, Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design) – Student Purchase Award
  • Brad Turner (Instructor, Faculty of Design) – Best of Craft and Design Award
  • Diogo Pinheiro (2015 Alum, Drawing & Painting) - Honourable Mention Painting
  • Jamie Rosario (2024 Alum, Material Art & Design) - Best of Jewelry Award
  • Maureen O'Connor (1993 Alum, Graphic Design) - PhotoEd Magazine Award

Congratulations to the award recipients! Learn more about the TOAF awards

Other Recent News

Partial x OCAD University Artist Showcase Fall 2025 Call for Artists

Partial and OCAD U’s 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.

2026 Sankofa Square Black History Month Digital Exhibition Call for Artists

Sankofa Square and the 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. Artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2026.

OCAD University announces 2026 Ateneo Art Award Resident Jel Suarez

Filipino artist Jel Suarez has been selected as OCAD University’s 2026 Ateneo Art Award Resident, part of OCAD U’s partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery at Ateneo de Manila University. The residency supports emerging artists whose practices reflect creativity, critical engagement and innovation. Building on the 2024 residency of Doktor Karayom, who presented No One’s At Home (Walang Tao Sa Bahay) in Toronto, proceeds from a limited-edition shirt designed by Karayom will help support Suarez’s upcoming residency and strengthen cultural exchange between OCAD University and the Ateneo Art Gallery.