Image credit: @luminatofestival on Instagram.

Kick off the summer with an international arts festival featuring works by OCAD University affiliated artists!

More than a dozen OCAD U alums and past honorary doctorate recipients are exhibiting at the Luminato Festival Toronto from June 5 to 16 at a variety of venues across the city, from parks and sidewalks to theatres, galleries and major transit locations.

A multi-arts festival, Luminato transforms Toronto into a playground of art, creativity and conversation every June, showcasing exceptional Canadian and international art and artists annually.

The following OCAD U affiliated artists will be at this year’s festival.

  • adelheid is a company that includes OCAD U alum and lead developer Luke Garwood (Digital Futures, 2019). You Are Swimming Here is their augmented reality installation at Luminato this year from June 6 to 16 at David Pecaut Square.

  • Alums Brendan George Ko (Photography, 2010), Ernesto Cabral de Luna (Photography, 2024), Winnie Truong (Drawing & Painting, 2010), Vridhhi Chaudhry (Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design, 2022), Malik McKoy (Drawing & Painting, 2020) and Emerald Repard-Denniston (Drawing & Painting, 2022) have installations at major transit stations as part of SPACED from June 5 to 16, more specifically, at Kennedy Station, Spadina Station, Finch Station and York University Station.

  • Dr. Kenneth Montague (honorary doctorate recipient, 2016) speaks at The Wedge Lecture on June 13 at 7 p.m. at 1 Spadina Crescent. This event is an annual two-day program with a focus on Black identity and contemporary art. It will include a public conversation and private workshop.  
     
  • Elder Dr. Duke Redbird (honorary doctorate recipient, 2013) shares his wisdom and original poetry, featuring dancer and Miigwech Collective member Cotee Harper as part of Earth Garden: Aki Gitigaan on June 7 starting at 6 p.m. at David Pecaut Square. Elder Dr. Redbird performs at 8:45 p.m.
     
  • Alum Jacquie Comrie (Drawing & Painting, 2010) is part of Lulaworld on June 15 in David Pecaut Square. Comrie will be at the StreetARToronto Live Painting Station from 2 to 5 p.m.
     
  • Join alum and FADO Performance Art Centre Director Shannon Cochrane (Interdisciplinary Studies, 1996) in conversation with Sonia Hughes about her performance, I Am from Reykjavik. (60 Mins), on June 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 401 Richmond Street West, unit 445.
     
  • Alums Belinda Kwan (Criticism & Curatorial Practices, 2015) and Sar Wagman (Life Studies, 2023) are a part of the InterAccess team, an artist-run new media gallery that will partake in the Toronto Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Luminato in the Square on June 13 in David Pecaut Square at 6 p.m. 

  • Alum Philp Cote (Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design, 2015) also performs at the Toronto Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Luminato in the Square on June 13 in David Pecaut Square at 6 p.m.

SHOWCASING STUDENT AND ALUM ANIMATION 

Animations by OCAD U students and alums Belinda Zhang (Digital Painting & Expanded Animation, 2021), Derya Ozparlak (Experimental Animation), Isaac King (Interdisciplinary Art, Media & Design, 2022) and Peter Rahul (Drawing & Painting, 2013) will be on exhibit at the private Luminato After Party on campus on June 5.

Their animations will be projected in the Great Hall and the lobby at 100 McCaul St. in collaboration with the immersive projection company, AVA Animation & Visual Arts.  

OCAD U also partners with AVA Animation & Visual Arts for the annual Light Up the Dark event at the Aga Khan Museum in December, where the museum projects works by OCAD U students on its exterior façade.