OCAD U remembers Vassil Popvassilev

The OCAD University community is saddened to learn of the passing of Vassil Popvassilev on October 22, 2024, at the age of 80. He was an instructor and studio leader who taught drawing and design in the Faculty of Design from 2002 to 2014.

Popvassilev graduated from the National Academy of Visual Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 1967 and later obtained a master’s degree in industrial and Product Design from the Burg Giebichenstein University of Arts and Design in Halle, Germany. In 2002, he joined OCAD U, teaching drawing in Industrial and Environmental Design.

He was an accomplished artist and designer, working in multiple mediums and an active member of the Société d’histoire de Toronto.

Remembering Vassil Popvassilev

Popvassilev is remembered as an extraordinary artist and educator who mentored and touched the lives of many students during his time at OCAD U. He was known as a caring and dedicated mentor who nurtured students beyond the classroom and as emerging professional artists and designers.

“Vassil encouraged me to pursue my passion for design and his wisdom stayed with me long after graduating from OCAD University. His mentorship shaped lives across generations; the junior designer we recently welcomed to our team credits him with preparing her portfolio and inspiring her path to OCAD U as well,” said Polina Blagoeva in a tribute published on LinkedIn. Blagoeva is Popvassilev’s niece and OCAD U alum. “To Vassil, mentorship wasn’t an obligation; it was his way of being. He saw potential where others might not and gave people the tools and confidence to realize it.”

Popvassilev was an award-winning artist who held exhibitions in Canada, Bulgaria, Japan, Poland, Turkey, Germany and many others. He earned the Award of Artistic Achievement at the 36th International Exhibition of Enameling Art, in Tokyo, Japan in 2002 and the Special Award at the ECCA Design Competition, Brussels, Belgium in 1987. Popvassilev founded Vasko Studio in 1997.

As an avid lover of the outdoors, he travelled widely to Oceania, the Americas and Europe to explore the natural world. Friends and family fondly recall joyous canoe trips through Canada’s national parks in his company.

OCAD U extends its condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. 

Sources:

Vasko Studio – Artist’s Biography

Linkedin

Image courtesy of Vasko Studio