(Toronto — February 25, 2010) The Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) is betting the month of March will go out like a lion as it launches its exciting new fundraising initiative, Project 31.
Acclaimed members of the university faculty have donated 31 works of art and design, which will be unveiled on a daily basis throughout the month, culminating in a live auction celebration on Wednesday, March 31.
What makes the event unique is how the funds will be directed. “Each faculty member who generously donated to Project 31 is directing the proceeds from the sale of that work to a specific area of need at OCAD,” explains Jessica Kamphorst, Executive Director of Development & Alumni Relations, and President of the OCAD Foundation. “Donating faculty members have determined that funds will help to increase, among other things, live model hours for Illustration students; professional development funds for faculty; program-specific scholarships; and the OCAD library and Learning Zone. Some of our faculty have also chosen to donate proceeds to our Student Assistance Challenge, which provides valuable support to students in the form of non-repayable bursaries."
OCAD’s highly regarded Florence Off-Campus Studies program will also receive a financial boost through Project 31. Also set to benefit are International Student Entrance Scholarships, and OCAD program areas such as Drawing & Painting, Photography and Integrated Media.
“The works in the sale have been selected through a jury of faculty members, curators and collectors, and close to half of them are valued at over $3,000, representing a significant injection of funds to OCAD operations and student support,” said Kamphorst. “This is a rare opportunity to obtain works by Canada’s most renowned artists and designers who teach, mentor and inspire OCAD students, and set an example of excellence and achievement. Through our faculty community’s incredible generosity, we’re thrilled to be able to make these works available for purchase, and to be able to direct the proceeds to areas dear to their hearts.”
A month-long digital experience, Project 31 will unveil a new work each day of March online at www.ocad.ca/project31. “Think of it as an advent calendar for the month of March,” said Kamphorst. Live auction ticket-holders will receive a copy of the full-colour catalogue as part of their ticket purchase. Tickets for the March 31 auction can be purchased online at the Project 31 website for $95.
Project 31 features works by:
Stephen Appleby-Barr
Doreen Balabanoff
Ian Carr-Harris
Nicole Collins
Robyn Cumming
Cathy Daley
Paul Dallas
Bonnie Devine
Judith Doyle
Eldon Garnet
Simon Glass
Gary Gray
Jody Hewgill
April Hickox
Natalka Husar
Anda Kubis
Colette Laliberté
Francis LeBouthillier
Jennifer Long
Laura Millard
Sarah Nind
Charles Pachter
Luke Painter
Gordon Peteran
Paul Sloggett
Fiona Smyth
Vladimir Spicanovic
Peter Sramek
Gary Taxali
Team Macho
Michèle White
Project 31
Follow Project 31 online from March 1 to 31
Celebration: Wednesday, March 31
Artwork Preview: 6 p.m.
Live Auction: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $95 (purchase online at www.ocad.ca/project31)
Ontario College of Art & Design
100 McCaul Street, Toronto
416-977-6000 | www.ocad.ca
About the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD)
The Ontario College of Art & Design (www.ocad.ca) is Canada’s “university of the imagination.” OCAD is dedicated to art and design education, practice and research and to knowledge and invention across a wide range of disciplines. The university is building on its traditional, studio-based strengths, adding new approaches to learning that champion cross-disciplinarity, collaboration and the integration of emerging technologies. In the Age of Imagination, OCAD community members will be uniquely qualified to act as catalysts for the next advances in culture, technology and quality of life for all Canadians.
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For more information and images please contact:
Sarah Mulholland, Media & Communications Officer, OCAD416.977.6000 Ext. 327 (mobile Ext. 1327)