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OCAD University

OCAD U celebrates revitalization of Ada Slaight Studios

October 3, 2019
Ada Slaight Studios celebration at OCAD University. Photo: Martin Iskander.
Ada Slaight Studios celebration at OCAD University. Photo: Martin Iskander.

The OCAD University community celebrated the completion of the Ada Slaight Studios - one of the first phases of the Creative City Campus. The Slaight Family Foundation has contributed to a revitalization effort that will substantially change the student experience of the 4th floor south Drawing and Painting Studios. 

This generous gift has allowed OCAD U to renovate and re-purpose existing spaces so that students will have full access to technology-enabled studio-based and experiential learning. Major components of this revitalization include the university’s core creative spaces: the Student Hub and Gallery, the four Drawing and Painting Studios and the Resource Centre. 

The impact of the contributions include:

  • A new student gallery and hub on the fourth floor with gallery lighting and a co-working space
  • A new resource centre with expanded storage and tool load capability.
  • Upgraded furniture and art storage in our fourth-floor build shop
  • State of the art designed lightening capability for life model and still life observation
  • Improved critique installation surfaces in all south studios 
  • New LED lighting optimized for art creation with individual controls 
  • New projectors, screens and audiovisual interface 

The Slaight family has been a supporter of OCAD University for many years. In particular, the university is grateful to Ada Slaight, someone who believes passionately in the value of art and design to society, and the importance of providing students with the tools and resources they need to successfully pursue an education in those fields.

l-r: Joanne Frisch, Carole Beaulieu and Ilene Sova with Terry Smith, Philanthropic Advisor to the Slaight Family Foundation.