The exhibition features several OCAD University community members who, in addition to being faculty, are artists and parents. The works in the exhibition reflect their experiences raising children, teaching and maintaining a studio practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Art Amy Swartz as well as Associate Professors in the Faculty of Art JJ Lee and Natalie Waldburger are featured in the show. Each week, beginning on August 8, the works of an individual artist will be foregrounded. 

The show was curated during artist and OCAD U alumna, Rachel Grad’s remote residency with the Museum of Motherhood (MoM) and includes weekly blog posts interviewing the featured artists to explore their work and parent experiences. 

At different times the women in the exhibition have involved their children in art making while also carving out, an autonomous practice as well. They have also engaged in collaboration with other parent artists. By capturing aspects of their own worlds, while quarantining at home with children and partners, these mothers have been able to express themselves during difficult circumstances. 

Artist Bio
Natalie Majaba Waldburger’s current art practice is open-disciplinary and seeks to understand the complexities of respectful collaboration and participatory work in the context of anti-colonial research.  In recent years, institutional critique has become the focus for collaborative art practices as a co-founding member of The Drawing Board.  As an Associate Professor at OCAD U, Natalie has served as Chair for a number of programs in the faculty of Art including the inaugural Ada Slaight Chair of Contemporary Painting and Print Media and, most recently, Interim Chair of Sculpture/Installation and Life Studies and Grievance Chair for OCADFA.  The Life Studies area was the focus of Natalie’s appointment at OCAD U.  Life Studies is a specialization positioned in the Faculty of Art that brings together the arts, sciences, and humanities to cultivate interdisciplinary studio art practices.  These pedagogical approaches speak to Natalie’s own art research practice positioned at the intersection of sustainability, social justice, and ecologically-respectful art practices. 
Artist Interview

Curator
Pandemic Parenting Online Exhibit Curator Rachael Grad, is a mom of three and former lawyer who has studied and worked in the US, France, Italy, Hong Kong, and Toronto. Grad left practicing law to study painting full-time at the New York Studio School and New York University (NYU) before transferring to OCAD University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Trained as an observational painter, Grad has focused on colourful painting that blurs the distinction between abstract, figurative, and representational styles. Read the intro blog about Rachael Grad’s Residency here

Students! Have you ever wished you could have ten minutes for advice and conversation with an established alumni from your program?

OCAD U Alumni Relations’ RBC Speed Networking Program connects you with alumni online to gain valuable information on how to kickstart your career. Explore not only within their major, but similar ones as well!

Programming runs until March 21. For more information on specific dates and times, and how to sign up, visit:
https://secure3.convio.net/ocadu/site/SPageNavigator/RBC_Student_Speednetworking.html

Image Credit: OCAD U graduates, Rajni Perera and Shary Boyle stand in front of their mural at Inspirations Studio. Photo by Colin Medley.
 

OCAD U grads Shary Boyle and Rajni Perera collaborate on new mural

Esteemed OCAD U alumnae, Shary Boyle and Rajni Perera’s recent collaboration has resulted in a 15-foot mural that marks the reopening of Inspirations Studio. 

Together, the two internationally exhibited artists offered their time and talent to adorn a large wall at the organization's new location on Toronto's Church St. in advance of their reopening on October 26, 2021.  

"We are so grateful that two of Canada's most respected contemporary artists are collaborating and volunteering to create a mural in our new studio. This is a truly beautiful gift that will endure. It is such a lovely way to celebrate our reopening and to welcome our members back to work," says Inspiration Studio’s director, Gudrun Olafsdottir. 

Inspirations Studio is a ceramics workspace and storefront that supports low-income women who have been impacted by poverty, homelessness, trauma and displacement. 

“It's been my honour and pleasure to serve Inspirations Studio. I would like this to be just the beginning of my involvement with this wonderful enterprise. We must follow the studio's example and consider how we can be of service to others, especially those who need a helping hand,” says Perera of the project, who has been shortlisted for the 2021 Sobey Art Prize. 

The permanent painting features pottery from around the globe and across history in a cheerful palette of lilac, maroon, deep blue and teal. The mural’s ceramic vessels are depicted sitting on a large dining table, holding verdant plants and are flanked by two sets of hands extending into the scene from beyond the frame. 

If you look closely, you can see a reproduction of a vase by OCAD U graduate, Julie Moon, who is known for her whimsical botanical ceramic sculptures.

Starting out in a converted church on Toronto’s Queen Street West, Inspirations Studio has supported the creative pursuits of women from a diversity of backgrounds for over 27 years. The space offers a safe and supportive environment for its members to create ceramic works in. 

"I believe in art as a tool of justice, empowerment and healing. The benefit of making and experiencing art should be accessible to all people in all walks of life," says Boyle, who, like Perera, is a member of the steering committee at Inspirations Studio. Boyle represented Canada at the 2013 Venice Biennale and received an honorary doctorate from OCAD U in 2021. 

Since its founding in 1994, Inspirations Studio has grown into a means through which women can gain stability, express themselves, connect with community and transition towards more sustainable economic circumstances.  

At the studio, pottery is not only an art form but a channel through which the organization's members can gain financial independence. You can support Inspirations Studio and its members by purchasing ceramic works available in their retail store and online shop.  

The Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) invites First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists to learn about the Toronto District School Board’s Educational Partnerships Program! 

Indigenous OCAD U students, alumni and community members can apply to join a list of partners that provide Indigenous educational programming, workshops, seminars, presentations, performances, or educational services during instructional time in TDSB schools. Partners are frequently invited to secondary classrooms to support teachers offering courses from the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies Curriculum. Partners are paid for their workshops and programming and determine their own rates. Partners often use CARFAC rates to determine their fees and rates can include materials costs 

From 2-3:30PM on October 25th Indigenous OCAD U students, alumni and community members are invited to join the UIEC, along with OCAD U’s Indigenous Student Centre and the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers to learn about this great opportunity for creatives who are interested in teaching, mentorship and growing experience in classrooms! 

To register for the TDSB Educational Partnerships Program Information Session click here! 

Are you a current Indigenous OCAD U student or alumni (2018-2021)?  

You could be eligible for the Career Launcher: Recruited Placement. Click here to learn more! 

Contacts

Lee Sheppard (Instructional Leader, Indigenous Education: Urban Indigenous Education Centre) lee.sheppard@tdsb.on.ca  -For questions about the Educational Partnerships Program 

Reagan Kennedy (Student Success Coordinator – Indigenous Student Centre) rkennedy@ocadu.ca  -For application support and questions about Indigenous student services at OCAD U 

Shellie Zhang (Special Projects Coordinator – CEAD) szhang@ocadu.ca  -For questions about the Career Launcher 

Indigenous Student Welcome & Celebration of Graduates

Presented by Indigenous Student Centre as part of Fall 2021 Orientation
Audience: All Indigenous students, alumni, faculty, staff, family and friends!
Session being recorded: No

Thursday September 9 1 to 3 p.m. ET
Platform: Zoom

The Indigenous Student Centre invites Indigenous students and graduates, along with their families, friends, and community to join us for the Indigenous Student Welcome and Celebration of Graduates!

The event will begin with opening words from the Indigenous community at OCAD U as we celebrate Indigenous graduates and welcome new students with guest singer Harvey Dreaver!

New students will have the opportunity to participate in a Q&A with the Indigenous Student Centre, Indigenous Visual Culture Program, Wapatah: Centre for Indigenous Visual Knowledge, the Indigenous Student Association, as well as Indigenous alumni and faculty! 

> Click here to RSVP and register for this session...

Artwork created by Mariah Meawasige

To join more Orientation events click here! 

Coffee Chats is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Born in Venezuela, growing up in Kuwait, and then immigrating to Canada in 2013, Will Selviz is an Afro-Caribbean multidisciplinary designer, who specializes in immersive media technologies such as 3D animation, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and 360 video.  After graduating from OCAD University’s Digital Futures program, he founded RENDRD Media whose past clients include Nike, Prada, Bell Media, and Universal Music. RENDRD Media's larger mission is to provide employment opportunities and educate BIPOC youth in creative industries where people of colour are still underrepresented.

Will is open to talking about: learning how to learn: becoming a multi-disciplinary creative / design generalist, graduating and starting a business into the pandemic, the future of freelancing and creative entrepreneurship, the future of sustainable footwear design and innovation (with Sanmeet Chahil), the immigrant experience: the importance of representation in the creative industry.

Site: willselviz.co
Twitter: @willselviz
Instagram: @willselviz
LinkedIn: Will Selviz

Interested in joining our next Coffee Chat? RSVP here. 
Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform that’s used by emerging talent and professionals around the globe.  

Coffee Chats is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Kevin Katigbak is the Director of Strategy at Gensler Toronto, an Urban Farmer and Ceramic artist.

Curiosity, his driving force since childhood, Kevin always had more questions than answers. The obsession with “why” started early and never really dissipated.

Kevin is the Director of Strategy and lead facilitator for Gensler Toronto with 15+ years of experience in design strategy including workplace, brand, experience, real estate, re-positioning, foresight, change engagement and ethnography. Kevin advises clients on creating spaces and experiences that mirror their brand identities and support the communities they foster.

Beyond this he plays a key role in Gensler’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts supporting the development and sustainment of a more inclusive world both internally and externally through the power of design. He speaks nationally and is currently focused on the “future of us”, how a pandemic can transform the way we work live and play.

Kevin is open to talking about: Design and experience strategy, problem seeking, storytelling, inclusive design, change engagement, starting out in your career, the art of not caring and the importance of being nice.

Interested in joining our next Coffee Chat? Sign up here on Ten Thousand Coffees, and use the office hour feature to RSVP. Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform that’s used by emerging talent and professionals around the globe.  

Coffee Chats is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Michael created his first education startup, called Neverguess, during his second year of university, obtaining a university-wide contract one year after graduating. His education startup took a turn for the worse during the pandemic, and so Michael decided to convert a small side project he had been working on into an innovative vodka company, creating the world’s first pink, potato-based vodka at age 25. Prose Vodka is 1 of 6 potato based spirits at the SAQ, and now is one of the fastest growing specialty products in Quebec. Also during the pandemic, while filling the role as the primary designer for Prose, Michael discovered a serious need for better "work from home" tools for designers; and thus co-founded Work Louder Inc., which launched its first modular mechanical keyboard last month.

https://solo.to/prosevodka
https://solo.to/worklouder

Mike is open to talking about: Self-awareness, why it should be a priority, and how to develop it; Work ethic and why "hustle" isn't worth anything; How to net win by "doing" instead of "planning"

Interested in joining our next Coffee Chat? Sign up here on Ten Thousand Coffees, and use the office hour feature to RSVP. Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform that’s used by emerging talent and professionals around the globe.  

Coffee Chats w/ is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Sheila Sampath (she/they) is an artist, activist designer, and educator living and working in Toronto. She is the Principal and Creative director at The Public, a community-centred design studio founded on principles of social justice and anti-oppression, the Editorial and Art Director of Shameless magazine, a national feminist magazine for teen girls and trans youth and a Professor in the Digital Communications Program at Humber College. In 2020, she was named a YWCA Toronto Woman of Distinction, for her work in transforming the lives of women and girls through the arts.

Sheila is open to talking about: Social justice in design, sustaining transformative practices, trans-disciplinary work

Interested in joining our next Coffee Chat? Sign up here on Ten Thousand Coffees, and use the office hour feature to RSVP. Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform that’s used by emerging talent and professionals around the globe.  

Coffee Chats is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Coffee Chats w/ is a series of virtual casual gatherings with the CEAD team with industry guests. Hosted virtually in small intimate groups, these gatherings will provide a space for group conversations with practitioners who are interested in supporting OCAD U students and grads to offer mentorship, and share their professional insights and journey, while collectively creating an online community.

Deborah Wang (MFA, M.Arch) is a Taiwanese Canadian curator and designer based in Toronto, with a broad range of experiences in contemporary art, design and architecture that spans two decades.

As Artistic Director of DesignTO, she has experience building and running a non-profit arts organization that produces Canada’s largest annual design festival, while curating numerous public programs and exhibitions for DesignTO and independently. As a community leader and design expert, she has been interviewed by The Globe and Mail and Monocle Radio, and profiled in Azure Magazine. Alongside her curatorial work, Deborah continues to practice architecture with award-winning practices.

Deborah is open to talking about: A day in the life of an AD, wearing multiple hats, curating design, saying yes

Interested in joining our next Coffee Chat? Sign up here on Ten Thousand Coffees, and use the office hour feature to RSVP. Ten Thousand Coffees is an online mentoring and networking platform that’s used by emerging talent and professionals around the globe.