OCAD U supports emerging international artists and designers

Students in the International Summer Art & Design Residency learned sand casting this week, which is just one of the foundry processes available to study at the University.

OCAD University’s International Summer Art & Design Residency brings youth from around the world together to create art while immersing themselves in all the city offers.

This year, OCAD U is hosting a cohort of 14 youth participants, over the age of 16, from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, Central America and the Middle East, from July 8 to 26. This is the second year the University has held the residency program.

The 14 emerging artists and designers are learning and working in the studios on campus from Monday to Friday, guided by faculty members Natalie Kauffman and David Constantino Salazar. Kauffman is an artist educator focusing on 2D visual art forms, and Salazar is an artist and sculptor with roots in Ecuador.

“Participants are encouraged to research, observe and document their experiences navigating a new city through place-based learning modules, in-class instruction and independent studio time,” says Maryanne Casasanta, Lead, Portfolio & Education Programs, who leads the program, and has built it over the past two years. 

“The goal is to foster an environment for creative and conceptual learning, material exploration and professional development while preparing learners for post-secondary education and the application process,” Casasanta continues.

During the first week of the program, the group visited the triennial exhibition Greater Toronto Art 2024 (GTA24) at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA). This exhibition features the work of over 20 Toronto-based artists, many of whom have connections to OCAD U as current faculty or alums.

“Through field trips, class discussions, critiques and reflective writing, they harness their ideas of their experience of Toronto and work from their areas of interest with the invitation to blend mediums and disciplines,” says Casasanta. “At the end of the program, they curate and install an exhibition of the work they made during their time in the city on campus.”

Last year, residency students created original multidisciplinary art and design work uncovering personal ideas of “place” inspired by the residency's theme, Wanderlust. Their self-directed projects resulted in an inspiring exhibition at the Ada Slaight Gallery.

“During my time at OCAD U [last] summer, I had the opportunity to foster both my artistic and personal growth in an intimate group setting,” says Mika Tappan, who participated in the residency in July 2023. “I learned to curate and critique with others while experiencing living unique to Toronto.”

This year’s International Summer Art & Design Residency will have an exhibition and reception on July 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 49 McCaul St., in the Open Space Gallery, following the theme of Bodies in Space. It will be open to the public.

Learn more about becoming a student at OCAD U and programs for young artists and designers at OCADU.ca/Admissions.