INVC Program sponsors ImagineNATIVE's artcrawl and ArctiC Noise exhibition

Friday, October 16, 2015 - 4:00am

Join art lovers on imagineNATIVE’s inspiring, insightful and entertaining Art Crawl of exhibitions and co-presentations with partners A Space Gallery, Trinity Square Video, VMAC Gallery and YYZ Artists’ Outlet in the historic 401 Richmond building. At each stop, engage with exhibition curators and attending artists and enjoy some of the best in contemporary Indigenous media art, commission and retrospectives. Snacks provided. Drinks available for purchase.

Reception begins at 5:00pm at A Space Gallery, with the first artist talk at 5:30pm.

Material Experiments, A Space Gallery, Suite 110, Reception: 5:00–7:00pm, Curator & Artist Talk: 5:30pm

Heather Rae: Photographs, A Space Gallery Windows, Hallway outside Suite 110, Artist Talk: 6:15pm

ARCTICNOISE, Trinity Square Video, Suite 376, Reception: 5:30–7:30pm, Curator & Artist Talk: 6:30pm

For This Land, Vtape/VMAC Gallery, Suite 452, Reception: 6:00–8:00pm, Curator & Artist Talk: 7:00pm (see pg # for full details)

voz-à-voz/voice-à-voice

YYZ Artists’ Outlet, Suite 140, Reception: 6:30–8:30pm, Curator & Artist Talk: 7:30pm

Featuring a special performance by Cheryl L’Hirondelle and Joseph Naytowhow at 8:00pm

Derek Sullivan to exhibit in Showroom, a group exhibition including OCADu faculty and alumni

neon letters "Skyline"
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - 5:00am to Saturday, March 5, 2016 - 5:00am

A survey exhibition of Toronto works that have emerged within a period of rapid urban development and concomitant transformations in representation of the city.

Opening reception: Thursday, January 21, 7:00 - 9:00pm

Curated by Sarah Robayo Sheridan.

Works by Abbas Akhavan, Nadia Belerique, Jeff Bierk, Adrian Blackwell, Bill Burns, James Carl, Miles Collyer, Georgia Dickie, Ryan Ferko, Eric Glavin, Maggie Groat, Jesse Harris, Oliver Husain, Lili Huston-Herterich, Kelly Jazvac, Will Kwan, Life of a Craphead, Jimmy Limit, Corwyn Lund, Annie MacDonell, Vanessa Maltese, Kelly Mark, John Massey, Niall McClelland, Olia Mishchenko, Nick Ostoff, Roula Partheniou, Sandy Plotnikoff, Jade Rude, Jon Sasaki, Liana Schmidt, Jennifer Rose Sciarrino, Derek Sullivan, Margaux Williamson, Laurel Woodcock, VSVSVS.

Showroom is an exhibition that considers how artists have responded to the ubiquity of lifestyle marketing as a determining feature of the cityscape. A showroom is an aspirational space, not quite plausible except as image, devoid of the texture and details necessary to render a full life, but delivering something life-like. Where real estate sales rhetoric has appropriated the artist as a benign element in the landscape, Showroom reverses the figure/ground relationship in order to identify particular nodes of production amongst artists working here. This exhibition and related public programs sustain our engagement with developing Toronto art histories. Showroom constitutes the largest survey of Toronto artists within the combined history of the Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and University of Toronto Art Centre.

Venue & Address: 
Justina M. Barnicke Gallery and University of Toronto Art Centre

Industrial Design students designing for social change

Industrial Design students with sewing collective members
Sewing collective member shows fabric to students
Thursday, November 19, 2015 - 5:00am

The students have the concepts, the sewing collective has the skills. Second-year Industrial Design students are teaming up with a sewing collective run by women in Regent Park to create marketable products and a potential source of added income for the community.

The collaboration came about when assistant professor Ranee Lee met with Angela Draskovic, president of the Yonge Street Mission, to discuss how design for social innovation can fit in with Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Lee learned about projects going on in Regent Park and found a way to integrate the sewing collective into her existing curriculum for the design course Identity Materialized, giving students an opportunity to engage in experiential learning.

Members of the collective welcomed the students to their workspace at a Gerrard St. community centre in November. They started the collective as a way to get together with other women and sew clothing and household goods.

The students are now taking what they learned from members of the collective and applying it to a soft goods project in class. This involves designing products that can be produced locally by the collective, developing a brand identity that reflects the revitalized Regent Park, conducting market research and creating advertising for the collective and its products.

In December, members of the collective will come to OCAD University to hear the students present their design ideas and, in turn, to give their own feedback and input.

Art and Design in the Connected World - Dr. Sara Diamond

Art&DesignConnectedWorld
Friday, November 20, 2015 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Toronto Region Board of Trade welcomes you to join Dr. Sara Diamond, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University, as she discusses how creativity and artistic imagination contribute to the skills and strategies our Toronto region business community needs to excel in the connected world.

Effectively harnessing the skills of our designers, artists and digital inventors is important for the increasingly connected Toronto region. From healthcare, to entertainment, to manufacturing, design can provide a competitive advantage and act as a key differentiator for business.

Venue & Address: 
Toronto Region Board of Trade Downtown Centre 1 First Canadian Place, 4th Floor Toronto, ON
Website: 
http://www.bot.com/EventDetails.aspx?MeetingId=c26bbfb1-064c-e511-85cc-0050569c005c
Phone: 
416.862.4500
Cost: 
Individual ticket - Member $79.00 Individual ticket - Non-Member $99.00 Table of 8 - Member $632.00 Table of 8 - Non-Member $792.00

City Hall Event addresses transit issues facing students

Logo of Student Move TO
Friday, September 18, 2015 - 4:00am

More subways, better streetcars, safer bike lanes…what transportation issues matter to you? On Monday Sept. 21 come to Student Move TO, a free interactive symposium about the obstacles that students face when travelling around the GTA/Hamilton region.

Join the presidents of the OCAD U, Ryerson, York and University of Toronto along with policy leaders and fellow students to discuss needs and solutions.

 

Date: Mon. Sept. 21

Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (registration begins at 3:30 p.m.)

Place: Toronto City Hall, Council Chamber, 100 Queen St. West

RSVP: https://gthauniversitysymposium.eventbrite.ca

(Reception to follow)

 

For additional information contact

Isabel Meirelles, OCAD University: imeirelles@faculty.ocadu.ca

NS Photo Exchange Roundtable @ OCAD U

Image of colourful rags
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 - 10:00pm

In partnership with OCAD University, we are hosting a roundtable discussion on collaborative art practices with select participants from the NS project, as well as key members in the Toronto community. 

Panelist
Luján Agusti (Mexico/Argentina) - The Photographic Museum of Humanity, an online platform for contemporary photography.

Sandra Brewster (Canada) - OPEN HOUSE, an exhibition organized in the artist's home in Toronto.

Cecilia Estalles (Argentina) - M.A.F.I.A a photography collective in Buenos Aires.

Jorge Lozano (Colombia/Canada) - CONVERsalon, a series of artist talks that happen in the artist's home in Toronto.

Members of the public are invited to participate in this open dialogue.

NS is an online photographic exchange project between artists in Toronto, Canada and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

NS Photo Exchange Project/ Intercambio Fotográfico is commissioned by the TORONTO 2015 arts and culture festival PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC and a proud IGNITE community partner. NS was produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

Image: Pueblos Originarios, Melania Liendo, 2015

Venue & Address: 
OCAD University Annex Building 113 McCaul Street 5th floor, Room 525 
Email: 
<p>https://www.facebook.com/events/873616906062423/</p>

Feminist Art Conference

FAC round logo with red text
Thursday, September 24, 2015 - 4:00am to Sunday, September 27, 2015 - 4:00am

Feminist Art for Social Justice

The third annual feminist art conference will provide an opportunity for feminist issues to be explored and communicated artistically in a unique and creative space that encourages sharing, creating and discussion.

Our Vision

The mission for the Feminist Art Conference (FAC) is inspired by attacks on women’s and transgender rights in Canada, the US and abroad. Issues such as rape culture, trans phobia, racism, violence, media and political representation, cultural appropriation, online harassment, environmental degradation and impact on Indigenous lands, missing and murdered Indigenous women, and Islamophobic policies are areas of deep concern. These infringements on our right to agency and independence have been occurring in alarming numbers in our governments, in the media and in our communities. This conference provides an opportunity for these issues to be explored and communicated artistically in a unique and creative space that encourages sharing, creating and discussion. In the centuries old tradition of people organizing we believe that by coming together and communicating about these issues through our artistic practice, that we can initiate progressive change and spark collaborations accross disciplines.

Our Mission

We are looking for multidisciplinary art and workshop submissions including: visual art, film, theatre arts, music, dance, design, spoken word and literature. We will create a space that is celebratory,positive, intellectually engaging and provocative. We are committed to this space being trans inclusive, anti-racist, and intersectional. Furthermore, by providing an opportunity for feminist artists to meet and share their work, we believe we can provide opportunities for networking and future artistic collaboration that can inspire social change and empowerment. We have the vision that the ripple effect from this type of artistic sharing and learning can provoke positive transformations in both our communities and our minds.

Venue & Address: 
OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street,&nbsp;Toronto
Website: 
http://www.factoronto.org vimeo.com/110169380
Email: 
torontofac@gmail.com

OCAD U celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Sharp Centre for Design

The Sharp Centre for Design

OCAD U’s iconic Sharp Centre for Design, turns 10 this fall. The stunning, black and white “tabletop” structure, which was completed in 2004, stands above OCAD U’s main campus building on 12 multi-coloured steel legs. It’s named after benefactors Rosalie and Isadore Sharp and is home to OCADU’s Faculty of Design, with facilities for the Faculties of Art and Liberal Studies.

The award-winning facility was designed by acclaimed British architect Will Alsop in partnership with Toronto-based Robbie/Young + Wright Architects Inc., along with structural engineers from Caruthers & Wallace Ltd. And MCW Consultants Ltd.

View the Sharp Centre Flickr gallery 

Quotes in celebration of the Sharp Centre for Design:

“Will Alsop’s checkerboard-box-on-crayon-coloured stilts…helped Toronto usher in a new era of bold landmark architecture.” Design Lines

One of the “five most influential buildings” in Toronto. Christopher Hume, architecture critic

“Audacious and delightfully strange.” Azure Magazine

“The Sharp Centre is interesting because it literally hovers above the Main Building at 100 McCaul supported by long, colourful steel legs over a small parkette — making that park a great place to be during a rain storm, with the Sharp Centre acting like a giant umbrella.” Spacing Magazine 

“Its colourful exterior and surprising floating form lend it a vibrant intensity that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding environment.” The Canadian Centre for Architecture 

“The Sharp Centre celebrates both the collision of the old and new, and their institutional symbiosis.” The Globe and Mail 

“I had no idea I was going to do a box on legs, flying at that sort of height, but that’s what happened.”Will Alsop interviewed on Global News 

“Colour is refreshing. It aerates the city.” Will Alsop, quoted on CBC.ca 

 

Celebrate The Sharp Centre for Design with OCAD U

Will Alsop in conversation with Christopher Hume

Attend the Sharp Centre for Design Anniversary Exhibition 

Toronto Tea Festival 2014

Event Poster
Saturday, February 1, 2014 - 5:00am to Sunday, February 2, 2014 - 5:00am

Curated by OCAD U alumna, Katherine Bellman, Drawing & Painting, 2010

The Toronto Tea Festival returns for its 2nd year to the Bram & Bluma Appel Salon of The Toronto Central Reference Library on February 1 and 2, 2014.

Following the huge success of last year’s festival which drew over 1200 attendees, Canadian Tea Media Inc. will once again present an event that features tea tastings, speakers, tea ceremonies and exhibitors offering related products as well as an auction featuring rare tea items.

“We are very excited to organize such a great event again,” says Tao Wu, owner of Tao Tea Leaf. “And due to last year’s turn out, we are proud to extend it to two days. This show reaches out directly to the growing public fascination in the ancient art of preparing and serving the second most consumed beverage in the world.”

“The return of the Toronto Tea festival for a second year is an exciting step in the evolution of Canada into a knowledgeable tea consuming society,” says Bill Kamula, Tea Guild of Canada Chair. “Tea is one of the fastest growing segments of the beverage market, and this festival presents an opportunity for interested consumers to explore many aspects of tea culture, and be introduced to new tea products, under one roof.

Over 30 exhibitors participated last year, and this year will feature many additional exhibitors to suit all of your tea related needs.

For a complete listing of Festival events and to purchase tickets in advance please visit www.teafestivaltoronto.com. Tickets also available at Tao Tea Leaf and Majesteas.

Ticket Prices:
Single Day Pass: $10 Early Bird / $15 Regular
Two Day Pass: $20 Early Bird / $25 Regular **Please note tickets will not be sold at the door once the event sells out.

Venue & Address: 
Toronto Reference Library, Appel Salon, 2nd floor 789 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario 647-878-6934 &nbsp;
Website: 
http://www.teafestivaltoronto.com
Email: 
kat@teafestivaltoronto.com
Cost: 
$10-$25

Illustration grads bring their talents to John Street – Toronto’s Red Carpet

Rosena Fung working on her chairs. Photo: Christine Crosbie.
Michael Pitropov paints his chair designs. Photo: Christine Crosbie.
Thursday, July 10, 2014 - 3:30pm

OCAD University partnered with the Toronto Entertainment District BIA (TOED BIA) to bring greater access to the John Street Cultural Corridor with the John Street Pedestrian Initiative (JSPI). For six months a lane will be closed to vehicles and become a pedestrian-friendly space. Rosena Fung and Michael Pitropov, recent OCAD U graduates, re-interpreted 20 red Muskoka chairs with their illustrations. The chairs will remain in place through the fall for pedestrians to lounge in. 

“John Street presents a unique opportunity for the city to allow the public to experience part of our civic realm in a whole new way,” said Dr. Sara Diamond, president of OCAD U. “The Entertainment District is going through extraordinary growth and John Street will provide this community with a unique destination not unlike many great cities around the world. We are pleased to be the first to play a role in bringing art to this transformative public space.” The students’ collective efforts, referred to as John StreetToronto’s Red Carpet will remain on display along the John Street Cultural Corridor until October 12, 2014.

The John Street Pedestrian Initiative’s project area places a focus on the east side of John Street, between Queen and Adelaide Streets, because it has the narrowest sidewalks and the largest number of patios in the corridor. The east curb lane traffic closure positively influences how pedestrians experience and use the street by providing them with a safe, wide pedestrian realm. The separation of the roadway and expanded pedestrian zone will be delineated by new pavement traffic markings, signage, planters and armour stones. In addition, tables, chairs and umbrellas enhance and contribute to the vibrancy of the surrounding area.

The long-term vision for the John Street transformation includes wider sidewalks, continuous double row of trees on the west side and flexible curbs resulting in calmer traffic and greater programming opportunities.

The detailed design is underway and will be completed in 2015. A Class Environmental Assessment Study of John Street was completed in 2012. Programmable lighting, convenient access to electrical conduits and coordinated paving treatments will be some of the many elements under consideration.

The vision for the street is to create a grand promenade connecting visually and physically the key cultural destinations across the corridor. “The long-term vision for the transformation of the street to a beautiful cultural corridor will be kick-started with the launch of the art project in partnership with OCAD U,” said Janice Solomon, Executive Director, Toronto Entertainment District BIA.

The City Staff report on the John Street corridor project can be found here.

The John Street Cultural Corridor, from north Queen Street West to south of Front Street West, is recognized as a route of civic and cultural importance in the City, encompassing major facilities and institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario, OCAD U, Bell Media, the National Film Board of Canada, the CBC Broadcast Centre, the Princess of Wales and Royal Alexandra Theatres, the TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Air Canada Centre, Steam Whistle Brewing and the National Rail Museum at Roundhouse Park. City Council, in considering plans and studies of this area at various times over a number of years, has designated or identified John Street as a “Cultural Corridor,” an “Avenue of the Arts” and a “Pedestrian Priority Route.”

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