To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, InStudio is publishing photographs of women from the early 20th century who pursued their artistic ambitions by studying at the Ontario College of Art (as OCAD University was then known).

As a matter of fact, since our founding 140 years ago in 1876, women have been part of OCAD U’s vibrant and diverse student body. By contrast, it wasn’t until 1884 that women were permitted to enrol at the University of Toronto.

We hope you enjoy – and take inspiration from – these uplifting images.

 

G.S. Menzie, OCA students in front of the Grange (September 1922) G.S. Menzie, OCA students in front of the Grange (September 1922)
OCAD University Archives [PH110/57_004_367_010]

 

OCA students in front of the Normal School, St. James Square (ca. 1919/1920) OCA students in front of the Normal School, St. James Square (ca. 1919/1920)
OCAD University Archives [PH634/38_10_127_034]

 

OCA students inside the Normal School, St. James Square  (ca. 1919/1920) OCA students inside the Normal School, St. James Square (ca. 1919/1920)
OCAD University Archives [PH646/38_10_127_046]

 

OCA students in front of the Normal School, St. James Square (ca. 1919/1920) OCA students in front of the Normal School, St. James Square (ca. 1919/1920)
OCAD University Archives [PH635/38_10_127_035]

 

OCA students on McCaul St. (ca. 1920s)
OCA students in Grange Park (ca. 1920s)
OCAD University Archives [PH650/38_10_127_50]

InStudio thanks Scott Hillis, the visual resources coordinator and acting archivist at OCAD U’s Hoover Library, for his expert assistance in locating and identifying these images.

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