VIVID: The NSCAD University Newsletter for Alumni and Friends No images? Click here What's Inside? Message from President Peggy Shannon, PhD Dear Friends Our first summer term is nearly over, the Anna galleries are hosting shows and artist talks, and the Port will be soon full of kids at art and design camps – NSCAD in a heatwave is still as active as ever! I was recently in San Diego with Professor Rebecca Hannon and 10 students for the Society of North American Goldsmiths conference as part of our Weston Foundation Sew to Sow grant. What a fabulous amount of talent in our group and I was so proud to see them excel there. I will soon be travelling to alumni meet ups in London, Berlin, and Frankfurt this summer, and I would love to see you! Let’s talk about the future of our wonderful school. The details will be posted shortly on our alumni events page. Wishing you a relaxing summer, Peggy Message from Alumni Association President Ashley Delaney
Since last September, we have been working on resetting our foundation. We revisited our vision and mission – where we’re going and how we get there. We looked at the actions we take to fulfill our collective goals by mapping our annual plan. This has been opportune timing as NSCAD builds for their future. Our current VP, Rachel Castellano and former VP, Duane Jones have been members of NSCAD’s strategic planning committee these last few months. Thank you to the alumni who made time to provide their perspectives and ideas on the open calls this spring. There was a strong conversation about the undergrad experience, expansion to program offerings, and the consolidated campus plan. With conversations at the heart of our mission, these moments are essential opportunities to share perspectives, foster understanding, generate new ideas, and to create collective action. Part of our reset has also involved revisiting our By-Laws to ensure they were updated to reflect our online process and more clearly communicate roles and responsibilities. We will have a draft to share with you soon and welcome your feedback. If you’ve been considering how you can get involved more directly, this is the time. As a small team of volunteers, we work to represent over 10,000 alumni in our growing community. Your support and passion are essential in
creating positive change. Stay tuned for more updates leading up to the AGM in September and of course you're welcome to reach out anytime: president@nscadalumni.ca STAY IN TOUCH for a chance to win a Lawrence Weiner Poster: Attention NSCAD Alumni, update your contact information with the university for a chance to win this amazing Lawrence Weiner poster designed by the artist for the first exhibition of his posters. Why should you update your information? To be kept up-to-date about alumni events, opportunities, ways to connect with other alumni and much more! (Poster: Offset print, 17 x 24 1/2 in., 1983) ![]() ART WORK: Is taking a summer break. We'll be back in September! Did you miss an edition of Art Work? Find the recording on NSCAD's YouTube Channel. New content will be posted soon! ![]() NSCAD Alumni in London: Alumni receptions in Germany! Save the Dates: President Peggy Shannon, Advancement Director Kara Holm, and Director of the Anna Leonowens Gallery Systems Erinn Langille (BFA 2002) will be visiting alumni, supporters, and partners in Europe this summer. Stay tuned for further details about alumni gatherings on the following dates:
![]() ![]() Award: Congratulations Michael Massie (BFA 1991) who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by OCAD at this year's convocation ceremony. He is a Newfoundland-based multi-media artist who channels his Inuit, Métis, and Scottish heritage into his creations. An exceptional silversmith, Massie has garnered international acclaim for his sculpture, seamlessly blending stone, wood and metal Read more here. Award: Congratulations Alexis Walker (BFA 2002) for winning the Richard Martin Exhibition Award from the Costume Society of America. the exhibition Parachute: Subversive Fashion of the ’80s was shown at McCord Stewart Museum. Read more here. Award: Congratulations Christian Sparkes (BFA 2004) for winning the Focus Future Award at Internationales Filmfest Emden-Norderney in Germany. Christian received the award for his film King Tide. Read more here. Panel Discussion: Close Encounters: Futurism in Modern Art. A virtual panel discussion programmed with the Varley Art Gallery’s current exhibition To Go Boldly. Join exhibiting artists Brendan Lee Satish Tang (BFA 1998) and Syrus Marcus Ware, along with curator Anik Glaude, for an insightful discussion about art and futurism. July 17, 12:30 p.m. (Eastern) Registration required. Exhibition: The Captain's House Gallery, is celebrating their season opening this week. Be sure to stop by an see the new group of artists invigorating the space. See works by Alex McCurdy (BFA 1980), Marla Benton (BFA 2001), Rebecca Fisk (BFA 1993) Belle Demont (BFA 2014) & Carol Hansen (BFA 1983) Captain's House Gallery, 33 Central Street, Chester, NS. Read more here. Exhibition: Secret Signals, by Pandora Vaughan (BFA 1995). Recent work from two residencies at Dial House in Essex, featuring banners, moving pictures, prints and objects. Opening 6:30 p.m. on July 5. Praxis N16, 3-9 Belfast Rd., London, England. See more here. Exhibition: Sunday Funnies, by Nick Rosin (BFA 2014). Come see Nick's Exhibition: Whisper Networks, by Alex Stucliffe (BFA 2020). Work exploring the unique tensions characterizing visual culture today; focusing on the illusionary qualities of painting through the tactile effects of colour, texture, and layering processes. Until July 13. Katzman Art Projects, 5431 Doyle St #102, Halifax, NS See more here. Exhibition: Mimajuaqne’kati | Place of Life, a solo exhibition presenting prints and video by Mi’kmaw and settler visual artist Jerry Evans (BFA 1986). Incorporating elements of L’nu visual culture and archival photographs of ancestors, Evans’ work considers the interterritorial relationships between the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq in Ktaqmkuk. Until Sept. 15. Owens Art Gallery, Mount Allison University,61 York St, Sackville, NB Read more here. Exhibition: VampSites, an exhibition-as-temporary-occupation. Combining making and showing, employing a surreal personal lexicon and mythology of colours and textures, motifs and narratives, Mitchell Wiebe (MFA 1996) imports the chaos and theatre of his studio into the well-lit, rational architecture of the art museum. The artist then adopts a distinctive persona who emerges from the same fictive world inhabited by his array of fantastical animalesque characters. Until Sept. 30. AGNS, 1723 Hollis Street, Halifax, NS Market: Dartmouth Makers at Dusk. The Dartmouth Makers are proud to present Dartmouth at Dusk - a summer series of handmade markets in the tent at Alderney Gate. See work by Geordan Moore (BDes 2007), Alexis Vessey (BFA 2009), Megan Archer (1996 - 1998) and more! June 21, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m., 2 Ochterloney St, Dartmouth, NS ![]() In Memorial: Tori Brine (BFA 1999) 1971-2024. The NSCAD community mourns the loss of Tori, NSCAD’s Website/Desktop Support Specialist. “Tori was the most optimistic person I’ve ever met. No matter what she was suffering, she always remained positive. Her spirit and dedication left a lasting impact on all of us. She was kind to everyone, always smiling and offering a helping hand to those who needed it. Tori’s kindness and generosity will be deeply missed,” colleague Jonas Ye writes. A private memorial service will be held in Ontario with Tori’s family in the coming weeks. Read more here. Extended Studies: Fall Courses now open! Unleash your creativity with courses ranging from jewellery and tile making to liberated quilt making and graphic design. Course offerings feature in person and online options! Read more here. ![]() Exhibition: All Flesh is Grass, Angela Henderson (MFA 2016) and NSCAD Faculty member Solomon Nagler integrate land-based research practices, informed by non-anthropocentric agents and fragments of human interventions. The work in this exhibition positions the vegetal world as witness through explorations in sculpture, drawing and experimental film. The duo will also conducting a workshop as part of the exhibition. Opening June 21 Center/Alternative Space, 1-chōme-1273 Ginza, Kanuma, Tochigi, Japan. Read more here. Exhibition: ANTHEM: Expressions of Canadian Identity, a group exhibition by artists invited from across Canada who have created works in response to the lyrics of Canada's national anthem, with a focus on the line “Our home and native land”. The artists explore how the concepts of “home”, “land” and “native” connect to their own personal and national identities. See work by NSCAD faculty Mark Bovey. Prince Takamado Gallery, in the Embassy of Canada to Japan B2 basement, 7-3-38 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Read more here. Exhibition: SNAGxSan Diego 2024, Metalmith Conference. A group of NSCAD students made it to SNAG this year with faculty coordinator Rebecca Hannon. Students were challenged to find individual links in the work they are creating with a colour. A link needed to be formed between the work and the exhibition display. The makers worked together to find a way for all their adornment/holloware to be in conversation — this is a “link” they form with each other. The theme of “Color Wheel” is also a way to understand how colours are linked and share relationships that make each colour stronger. Read more here. ![]() TD Insurance: Take advantage of your alumni benefits. As a trusted partner, the TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Program is dedicated to helping NSCAD alumni get access to preferred insurance rates on car, home, condo and tenant coverage. For more information or to get a quote here. Call for Expressions of Interest: Festival Curator - Nocturne 2025. In 2025, Nocturne will take place from October 16th-19th, 2025. Curator(s) will develop a vision/theme for the festival and will curate the Anchor Project program. Nocturne’s Anchor Project program consists of site-specific installations and performance art activations at sites across Halifax and Dartmouth. Deadline to apply: July 26, 2024, 11:59 PM (ADT) Read more here. Design Expression of Interest: The FAB at NSCAD is looking for a new sign design from NSCAD Alumni! Something to freshen up the space and draw attention. FYI they love neon and faux neon! This unique events space hosts the NSCAD and public facing events! This project is in the process of receiving funding. Designs will need to be finalized by July 15 and installed by Sept. 16. Submit expression of interest to Events Producer Nick Fassbender Workshop: This art workshop will explore art making as a healthy way to foster communication and trust between youth and their caregivers. Youth and caregivers will be using art making as a way to communicate and create artworks together. We will be focusing on the journey of art making and everyone will leave with supplies to continue art making at home. Public lecture: Join Terry Smith-Lamothe as he discusses faces in architecture; human, animal and alike in a pictorial architectural world tour. Call for Course Proposals: The Centre for Craft NS now accepting proposals for the Fall '24 term! If you're passionate about craft we want to hear from you. This year, we've updated our submission form with new requirements. Whether you're a new or returning instructor, please read the requirements carefully to ensure a smooth application process. Work at NSCAD: NSCAD is hiring! Check out our careers page to see the open opportunities. Employment: Manager, Opportunity and Belonging NSCAD University. A tactical and strategic team leader who provides oversight and direction for The Office of Opportunity and Belonging (O&B). O&B encompasses student support for areas that include health and wellness, accessibility, and student engagement programs and activities and support to facilitate student success and persistence. ![]() Stay in TouchWe want to hear from you! Please send us your news. What are you working on? Where are you living? What inspires you? Any recent achievements? Use the online form, and tag your work on social media with #keepcreatingNSCAD. Email us at alumni@nscad.ca if you are interested in being profiled for your work or business. Header image: Bubble mugs, Alexis Vessey, image courtesy of the artist. |