Program
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As part of OCAD U’s Creative Professionals-In-Residence program, guests from a variety of art and design-related disciplines give presentations at the 3rd floor of the Rosalie Sharp Pavilion at 115 McCaul Street throughout the academic term and provide mentorship to students and graduates. Students and alumni can schedule meetings with current Creative Professionals-In-Residence for career advising, portfolio reviews and on-campus studio visits.
News & Events
SUCCESSFUL OCAD U GRADS GIVING BACK TO STUDENTS AND ALUMS
OCAD U alums provide professional and career development support to students and recent grads through the Creative Professionals-In-Residence program.
For Faculty
We welcome faculty to engage with the Creative Professionals-in-Residence program through curriculum. Past events and formats include guest artists talks, critiques, panel discussions, technical workshops and studio visits. If you are interested in involving a resident in your course, our team is available to assist with coordinating and developing engagement. Please reach out.
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Current residency
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TIAH KHUU
On campus: : Fall 2024
Tiah Khuu is a partner and creative director at Fook Communications, co-founded in 2016. With degrees from OCAD University in Toronto and the Basel School of Design in Switzerland, Tiah has cultivated a strong expertise in branding, finance, and business development. Clients range from the Ontario Government to director and actress Karena Evans, to YouTubers Eamon and Bec. Tiah's meticulous approach to visual communication enhances brands' presence both online and in the real world, positioning Fook as a leader in the design industry.
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Past residencies
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SONIA BECKWITH
On campus: Winter 2024
Sonia Beckwith is an animation artist specializing in 2D character based animation. Since graduating from OCAD University in 2019, she has worked primarily in the TV industry on shows such as Bubble Guppies, Clone High Season 2, The Casagrandes, Inside Job, and others. She is currently working at Brown Bag Films in Toronto. Sonia also maintains a personal art practice in which she creates and directs independent animations, music videos, experimental mixed media video art, and digital/mixed media paintings.
LIZ IKIRIKO
On campus: Winter 2020
Liz Ikiriko is an artist, independent curator and photo editor. Her knowledge as a prairie-born researcher, writer, photographer, teacher and mother inform her practice which is focused on contemporary and historic African and diasporic narratives. She is devoted to the creation of experiential, embodied experiences that utilize accessible platforms to share moments of vulnerability and care for all of us on the margins. Her independent curatorial projects include: The Break, The Wake, The Hold, The Breath (Circuit Gallery at Prefix ICA, 2019), An Archive, But Not An Atlas (Critical Distance Centre for Curators, 2019), and upcoming ___a lineage of transgression___(Artspace Peterborough, 2020). Her writing has been published in Public Journal, MICE Magazine, Akimbo and The Ethnic Aisle. She holds an MFA in Criticism and Curatorial Practice from OCAD University (2019).
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MICHAEL MADJUS
On campus: Winter 2020
Michael has over 10 years of experience in design, marketing, and social media. With a degree in Industrial Design (OCAD University), and having worked with George Brown College, IMM Living, the Children’s Own Museum, and the CN Tower, he helps businesses increase their presence online and IRL in creative ways.
Currently, Michael is working to help advance design culture in Canada as Head of Marketing for DesignTO, Canada's largest cultural celebration of design. Through the Festival, Michael and the DesignTO team turn the City of Toronto into a hub for creativity, making a platform for over 600 artists and designers every January.
DANIELLE GREER
On campus: Fall 2019
Danielle Greer is a Toronto-based cultural producer specializing in exhibition design, construction and consultation on best practices pertaining to the production of artwork and installations for various artists and arts institutions. Greer graduated from OCAD in 2006 with a BFA in photography. Shortly after graduating, she began working as an installation technician where she honed her expertise as a cultural producer and has been working in this capacity for over 10 years. She has worked on a wide range of projects with artists and institutions, some of which include Mercer Union, TIFF, Oakville Galleries, AGYU, Art Museum at the University of Toronto, The Power Plant, ReMai Modern, and 80WSE NYU.
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NADIA GALATI
On campus: Fall 2019
Nadia is a Toronto based urban planner and designer passionate about applying creative methods to address urban issues through research, analysis, action, and recommendations for decision makers in government, private and nonprofit sectors. She graduated from OCAD University in 2010 with a focus on Environmental Design. Nadia's practice includes cultural and land use planning, design, stakeholder engagement, qualitative and quantitative research, data visualization, placemaking, evaluation, policy and development approvals. Her studio, PROCESS, has worked on a myriad of projects for the City of Toronto, City of Kingston, City of Markham, Evergreen Brick Works, First Gulf, Gladstone Hotel, Kensington Market BIA, The Bentway, The Power Plant, Toronto Arts Council, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, TAS, Town of Whitby, and the Varley Art Gallery.
JESSICA LEONG
On campus: Winter 2019
Jessica Leong is a designer specializing in branding, environments, and typography. She is the Senior Designer at Frontier Design in Toronto and a graduate from OCAD’s graphic design program. Her previous experience includes Design Exchange, ERA Architects, Indigo Books, and Bruce Mau Design.
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BASIL ALZERI
On campus: Winter 2019
Basil AlZeri is a cross-disciplinary visual artist living and working between Toronto and Guelph, Canada. AlZeri's practice involves the intersection of art, education, and food, taking multiple forms, such as performance, interventions, gallery and public installation. AlZeri's work examines the socio-political dynamics of the family and its intersection with reproductive/unproductive labour, drawing on the necessities of everyday life and the (in)visibility of 'work' as sites of exploration. AlZeri's tries to facilitate a space for empathy through gestures of inclusivity and generosity. AlZeri has presented his work in Amman, Dubai, Halifax, Mexico City, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, Regina, Rome, Santiago, Tartu and Toronto.
MAHMOOD POPAL
On campus: Fall 2018
Mahmood Popal is an Afghan - Canadian, Toronto based multi-disciplinary artist and designer. Popal graduated from OCAD University in 2007 with a focus on Industrial Design and fine art. In 2011 Popal launched his creative studio, MAAST, that focuses on commercial interior design projects, private commissions and public art projects. The studio has worked on a wide range of projects for Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Sub-zero-Wolf, Sid Lee, Metrolinx, City of Toronto, East End Arts, Google, Capital One, Achievers, Konrad Group, Embrace, HERSHEY- REESE’S, Ford, Belair Direct, Think Tank Creative, Robarts Spaces China, The Stop Community Food Centre, Mile Inn and Apollo Studios.
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DAVID SALAZAR
On campus: Fall 2018
David Constantino Salazar is a sculptor with a studio practice highly focused on hand modeling clay and fabricating sculpture in various materials. His practice reflects research into the use of animal forms as cultural symbols to explore the borders between necessity and excess, desires, and addiction.
In 2017 Salazar completed the Interdisciplinary Master’s in Art, Media and Design degree (IAMD) at OCAD University.