## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. Markdownify 3. Node 4. [Students, faculty members and alums receive 2026 Craft Awards](/markdownify/node/4693) August 13, 2026 # Students, faculty members and alums receive 2026 Craft Awards ![Jewelry on display by Gaia Gia. ](/sites/default/files/styles/1_5_1_large/public/2026-08/I%20had%20so%20much%20fun%20selling%20and%20displaying%20some%20work%20at%20GradEx%20111.%20This%20was%20my%20first%20time%20ever%20se.jpg.webp?itok=sA8EbR9f) Artwork on display at Gradex111. Photo by Gaia Gia. rgb(255,255,255) Congratulations to the OCAD University community members who have been recognized with a Craft Award from Craft Ontario! [Craft Ontario](https://craftontario.com/), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting professional craftspeople, presents these annual awards to honour outstanding talent and achievement in craft and design. This year, five OCAD U community members, including students, faculty members and alums, were among the 19 award recipients. The recipients include: - [**Maria-Margaretta Cabana Boucher**](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fceremonialart.ca%2Fmaria-margaretta-cabana-boucher-metis%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cscheung%40ocadu.ca%7Cd58664676fd945273c1308def9535ff6%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639222333707077120%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LlTVui1k%2FT2c6qo9QCCQyo13Bn%2BqBUUbddwq2Gqdxhc%3D&reserved=0) – (2023 alum, Interdisciplinary Master's in Art, Media and Design) – Melinda Mayhall Memorial Award in Indigenous Craft - [**Gaia Gia**](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fgaia__gia%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cscheung%40ocadu.ca%7Cd58664676fd945273c1308def9535ff6%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639222333707194029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vVlUjwjvvqWHL90bKjfZJN4PhjIzHKNiYtMfe0qe%2Fgc%3D&reserved=0) – (OCAD U student, Material Art & Design) – Lacy West Supplies - [**Par Nair**](https://parnair.format.com/#1) – (faculty member; 2020 alum, Drawing & Painting; 2022 alum, Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design) – Shanks Memorial Award in Textiles - [**Dr. Nithikul Nimkulrat**](https://www.nithikul.com/) – (professor, Faculty of Design) – Lily Yung Memorial Award - [**Michelle Peraza**](https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michelleperaza.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cscheung%40ocadu.ca%7Cd58664676fd945273c1308def9535ff6%7C06e469d12d2a468fae9b7df0968eb6d7%7C0%7C0%7C639222333707127623%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=e5W5ts1YXydbUsW2E1xMNg8ByY4kyYfeHLIlK0fkYpc%3D&reserved=0) – (instructor, Faculty of Art; 2018 alum, Drawing & Painting) – Leisa Rich Fibre Arts Residency Award at the Contemporary Textile Studio Co-op Congratulations to the award recipients! Learn more about the [2026 Craft Awards](https://craftontario.com/blogs/awards/2026-craft-award-recipients). ## Other Recent News [### The OCAD U Mystery Art Sale Whodunit? Is Back! More than a decade ago, the Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale was a hugely popular OCAD U tradition, drawing crowds and even public line-ups outside the doors. Now, we’re bringing it back for a new generation. On April 3, 2027, the Great Hall will host a sale of 150 original works by OCAD U students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as artists and supporters from the broader community. March 5, 2027 ](/news/ocad-u-mystery-art-sale-whodunit-back) [### 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) [### Call for Submissions: The 2027 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs Applications Now Open: The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs 2026–27 Every business starts with an idea. The Seed Fund helps OCAD U students and recent alumni turn theirs into a real, revenue-generating creative business, with funding and hands-on mentorship from industry experts. January 11, 2027 ](/news/call-submissions-2027-seed-fund-creative-entrepreneurs) Related Stories ## Related Stories [### The OCAD U Mystery Art Sale Whodunit? Is Back! More than a decade ago, the Whodunit? Mystery Art Sale was a hugely popular OCAD U tradition, drawing crowds and even public line-ups outside the doors. Now, we’re bringing it back for a new generation. On April 3, 2027, the Great Hall will host a sale of 150 original works by OCAD U students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as artists and supporters from the broader community. March 5, 2027 ](/news/ocad-u-mystery-art-sale-whodunit-back) [### 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) [### Call for Submissions: The 2027 Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs Applications Now Open: The Seed Fund for Creative Entrepreneurs 2026–27 Every business starts with an idea. The Seed Fund helps OCAD U students and recent alumni turn theirs into a real, revenue-generating creative business, with funding and hands-on mentorship from industry experts. January 11, 2027 ](/news/call-submissions-2027-seed-fund-creative-entrepreneurs)