NSCAD Alumni at Work Talk: Between Studio and Strategy – How dual degrees shape creative practice
Join Dayna Sharkey (BFA, BDes 1996) and Randy Laybourne (BFA 1997, BDes 1999) for a conversation about the value of moving fluidly between conceptual exploration (BFA) and applied, problem‑solving design (BDes). Thursday, March 26, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Atlantic.  Register here 

*NSCAD Alumni at Work (formerly Art Work) talks are supported by TD Insurance.

Check out more NSCAD Alumni at Work talks here.

Alumni survey: NSCAD alumni shape culture, communities, and industries in ways few institutions can. From studios and design firms to classrooms, galleries, tech labs, and creative businesses, your work shows the power of a NSCAD education in the world. We know that many NSCAD alumni work in ways that don’t fit neatly into traditional employment categories. To continue strengthening NSCAD—and to ensure our programs reflect the reality of today’s creative opportunities—we’re gathering updated insights from our alumni. Responses are anonymous. Those received by Friday, March 27 will be included in our reporting to the Nova Scotia government. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey.

In the news: Congratulations to Xinhao Wang (BFA 2024), who was recently featured in Vogue Runway for his elegant tennis-inspired menswear, developed as a graduation project at the London College of Fashion.  While Xinhao says he learned more about the fashion industry in his post-graduate work, he credits his time at NSCAD for teaching him to understand the characteristics of fabric and to experiment with textiles as part of the design process. Xinhao checked in from his latest project to talk more about his time at NSCAD, his latest collection, and how his fashion career is evolving.  Read more.

Book: Congratulations to Bruce Barber (MFA 1978, Professor Emeritus) on the launch of his book Popular Modernisms: Art, Cartoons, Comics and Cultural In/subordination. Bruce Barber argues that the shocks of modernist art encouraged the production of visual satires, parodies, ironies, and pastiches; and that, in the company of other forms of text or performance-based criticism, these were the means by which those in marginal or subordinate social positions could exercise their displeasure and opposition to the ruling ideas and dominant classes of the day. Read more.

Craft and Sustainability Talk: NSCAD assistant professor Jennifer Green (BFA 2009) will discuss her current research and creative practices as part of Flax and Furious: A community-based approach to sustainable fibre research. In the talk at OCAD U's Global Centre for Climate Action, Jennifer Green will draw on years of hands-on fieldwork with Nova Scotia farmers and craftspeople to discuss how design research can bridge sustainable agriculture, textile production, and climate action. Joining Prof. Green will be OCAD U professor Shannon Gerard who will talk more about her research Plant Parenthood – a farm, a publishing house and a classroom with an emphasis on radical seed saving, cooperative programming, regional adaptation of diasporic food and social justice. The talk will take place on Thursday, March 26 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at OCAD University, MCA 190 Auditorium, 100 McCaul Street, Toronto, ON. Read more.

New business: Ashley Thimot (BDes 2007) and her husband, Rob MacNeil recently launched MACMOT Art Academy, an Edmonton-based art school focusing on visual art education for youth. With classes for young artists from grade 1 up to grade 9, MACMOT believes in strengthening the understanding and execution of fundamental principles for visual art. The business stemmed from the realization that the visual arts need more attention in the school system. Classes start September 2026. Read more.

Spotlight: To celebrate 10 years of the Gritty to Pretty Placemaking Program, Downtown Halifax Business Commission is marking A Decade of Creativity by spotlighting the artists and installations that have helped reshape Downtown Halifax’s public art landscape. The program has featured NSCAD alumni, including Katharine Burns (BFA 2009), Jared Betts (BFA 2009), Shane Song (MDes 2010), and Prince Churchill (BDes 2024). Applications for the 2027 Gritty to Pretty Placemaking Grant Program are open now. Apply and learn more.

"The Story" by Shane Song, Prince Churchill and Manjot Kaur

Event: Danny Hussey (BFA 1990) and Bridget Thompson, co-directors of Central Art Garage in Ottawa, were recently in Sydney, Australia, as guests of Sydney Biennale and the Canadian Consulate in Sydney. As part of the inaugural Commercial Galleries Trade Mission, they joined other Canadian gallerists for openings and events associated with the 25th Biennale of Sydney. The trade mission was an opportunity to promote Canadian artists to Australian curators and directors and network among their peers. The Sydney Biennale runs from March 14 to June 14, 2026. Read more.

Exhibition: In her exhibition mouth them like words, Angela Henderson's (MFA 2016) drawing practice unfolds through memory, material engagement, and unconscious association. The resultant hybrid forms merge human, vegetal, and animal elements, oscillating between beauty and abjection. Presented in freestanding sculptural forms and hung from the ceiling, the drawings come together to create a navigable environment that invites reflection on how knowledge is gathered, recorded, and absorbed. The exhibition runs until April 4, 2026 at StFX Art Gallery, Mulroney Hall, 2332 Notre Dame Ave, Antigonish, NS. Read more.

In the News: Akshay Tyagi (BFA 2008) is featured in the recent edition of The Hollywood Reporter India as one of the Top 10 Stylists in India. The article titled 'Here's who is defining the visual language of celebrityhood today' showcases Akshay's work in fashion and design in Canada and India. Tyagi’s film work has been diverse and intentional, with Hindi titles such as Fitoor (2016), Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021), Sheer Qorma (2021), The Night Manager (2023), and the latest Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (2025). Akshay Tyagi also co-founded Happiness Within, an outerwear brand that celebrates joy in the outdoors. Happiness Within makes reversible parkas feature solid colours on one side and rich floral tapestries on the other, symbolising the changeable nature of both weather and human emotions. Read more. 

Artist Talk: Hangama Amiri (BFA 2012) will be in Halifax in mid-April to deliver an artist talk at the Halifax Central Library. Hangama Amiri works predominantly in textiles, examining notions of home and how gender, social norms, and geopolitical conflict affect the daily lives of women in Afghanistan and the diaspora. Amiri was shortlisted for the 2025 Sobey Art Award. This program is presented by the National Gallery of Canada, the Sobey Art Foundation, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and Halifax Public Library. The talk will take place Thursday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in Paul O'Regan Hall, Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS. Registration is encouraged. Read more.

Exhibition: An exhibition of work by photographer Tim Brennan (BFA 1995) is currently on display at The Blue Building. Photographs surveys the full length of Brennan's career, from early works that see Brennan exploring his environment and developing his craft on Cape Breton Island, to contemporary works, where Brennan’s restless experimentation and lifelong commitment to film photography generate images that are painterly, richly textured, and emotionally impactful. The exhibition runs until April 18 at The Blue Building, 2482 Maynard St., Halifax, NS. Read more.

Artist Talk: As part of the Creative Minds series, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia will host an informal conversation in the Gallery with four artists featured in the exhibition Conversation Threads. Artists Joanna Close (BFA 2004), Ryan Josey (BA, BFA 2016), Sarah Mosher (BFA 2016), and Hannah Genosko (BFA 2015) will explore the ways textile traditions have preserved and transformed culture through their material practices.  The talk will be Thursday, April 2, 7 - 8:30 p.m.  at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, 1723 Hollis St., Halifax, NS.  Read more.

Workshop: Charley Young (BFA 2009) will lead Explorations in Printmaking. On the Press!, a week-long workshop exploring a variety of printmaking techniques, including drypoint, chinecollé, water-soluble monotypes, reductive monotypes, and pochoir (stencils). Participants will have the opportunity to use a small printing press to experiment with monoprinting techniques, creating one-of-a-kind printed images that incorporate imagery and subject matter of their interest. July 13-17, Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St., Lunenburg, NS. Read more. 

Workshop: Join Joan Bruneau (BFA 1988) to create wheel-thrown and altered shapes for bisque-moulded plates, platters, and serving bowls. This workshop is for students with advanced and intermediate wheel throwing experience. The course runs May 18 – May 22, 2026 at the Lunenburg School of the Arts, 6 Prince St., Lunenburg, NS. Read more. 

Photo credits
1) Gerhard Richter. © Werner Bartsch
2) Andrew Scott, courtesy

Honorary Distinctions: NSCAD University is delighted to announce two recipients for honorary distinctions in 2026: Gerhard Richter and Andrew Scott. Richter—one of the most influential artists of the postwar period—will receive the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts (honoris causa). Scott, a visual artist and founding member of the Canadian band Sloan, will be named a Life Fellow of NSCAD University. “These honorees speak to NSCAD’s role as a critically important artistic nexus where distinguished creative voices intersect. The essential role NSCAD plays as a testing ground and creative incubator for visual culture in Canada, and around the world, is undeniable,” says Interim President David B. Smith (BFA 1992). Read more.

Call for Nominations: NSCAD University invites nominations for honorary degrees and Life Fellowships to be awarded in 2027. Honorary degrees are reserved for individuals whose exceptional achievement and sustained excellence have made a significant and lasting contribution to the art and design world, culture, or society at large. Life Fellowships recognize those whose long‑standing dedication and service have had a meaningful impact on NSCAD University. Nominations for 2027 consideration must be submitted by April 30, 2026. All nominations received by the deadline will be reviewed by the Honorary Degree Committee as part of its annual deliberations. Nominate someone.

In memoriam: Orland M. F. Larson, often described as the father of Canadian jewellery education, passed away in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on February 18, 2026, at the age of 94. The NSCAD community mourns his passing. Orland played a foundational role at NSCAD university, where he established Canada’s first formal university jewellery and metalsmithing program in 1968 and served as head of the studio for a decade. He was deeply proud of the students he mentored here, who went on to achieve significant acclaim, including master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain (BFA 1978) and Professor Emerita Pamela Ritchie (BFA 1975, MFA 1982).

Award Sponsorship: NSCAD University is pleased to announce a generous donation from the Verecan Group in support of the new NSCAD Design Shift Awards, now known as the NSCAD Design Shift Awards presented by Verecan. The awards recognize outstanding design work by NSCAD students and recent graduates, celebrating practices that are critically engaged, forward-looking, and responsive to real-world challenges. The Verecan Group’s investment reflects a shared belief in the power of design to shape systems, challenge assumptions, and imagine better futures. As both a partner and an engaged member of the NSCAD community, Verecan brings a long-term, values driven perspective to this collaboration. “Design matters. It shapes how people think, how things work, and how we see the world. It’s not just about how something looks, but it’s not separate from that either,” said Colin White, CEO of the Verecan Group and a member of NSCAD’s Board of Governors. “The NSCAD Design Shift Awards recognize people who understand the full scope of it. We’re proud to support students and recent graduates doing thoughtful, meaningful work.” Read more.

Call for submissions: NSCAD alumni who graduated between 2021 and 2025, as well as NSCAD students, are invited to apply to exhibit their work as part of NSCAD's participation in the Saltscapes Spring Expo in Halifax, April 24 to 26. The value of the table is $500, and vendors must be able to be present at the event. Please submit an artist bio and 3-5 images of work you have available to sell to alumni@nscad.ca. Members of the NSCAD Alumni Association Board will review the submissions. Deadline for applications is March 31. Thanks to the Saltscapes Expo organizers who donated the tables to NSCAD.    Read more.

Awards: The NSCAD Design Shift Awards 2026 presented by Verecan are open for submissions! Are you ready to shift the status quo? Catalyzing Future-Forward Design is the theme of the awards, with a focus on design that acts as an agent of change. Whether you’re designing for health and well-being (Thrive), providing human-centred design solutions to complex problems (Resolve), pushing the boundaries of design thinking and emerging technologies, or addressing speculative futures (Venture), your work deserves the spotlight. Three category winners will receive $1,500 and overall winning project is eligible to win an addition $3,500 for a total of $5,000. Design alumni from 2024 and 2025 are eligible to participate.The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 27. Contact designaward@nscad.ca with any inquiries. Read more.

Call for applications: The Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing is seeking proposals from artists and artist-educators to lead one-week summer camps for children aged 7–12. These camps are designed to be hands-on, creative, playful, and rooted in contemporary artistic practices. The deadline is Friday, March 27. Submit your application to tania@alderneylanding.com

Alumni rings: The NSCAD ‘Make Your Mark’ Alumni Ring is a timeless way to celebrate your hard work, creativity, and achievement. Based on an idea by NSCAD alumna Erin Fleming (BFA 2024), the ‘Make Your Mark’ ring allows you to create your own unique ring design – a symbol of your personal experience of academic study and creative practice. Crafted from fair‑mined materials, it is both a beautiful keepsake and a responsible choice—meant to be worn, cherished, and passed on. Orders are collected twice a year and take approximately 10-12 weeks to produce. To order your personalized alumni ring click here.

Ring design by Kingsley Smith (BFA 2025)

Call for vendors: Nova Scotia Pottery Market. The Nova Scotia Pottery Market is officially accepting applications for our upcoming one-day ceramic-only event this fall in Mahone Bay on Sunday, October 4. If you are a potter ready to share your work in a warm, welcoming space dedicated entirely to ceramics, we would love to see your application. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 3.  Apply here.

Artist Talk: Seattle-based painter, printmaker, sculptor, and textile artist Marie Watt will present a public talk on April 2 as part of NSCAD's Public Lecture Series. Watt creates interdisciplinary work grounded in history, biography, Haudenosaunee proto-feminism, and Indigenous teachings. She will discuss her current projects and exhibitions, while addressing how collective making and conversation generate ways for understanding place, kinship and the universe. Marie Watt's talk is Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road, Halifax, NS. Read more. 

Market: Celebrate the beginning of spring with NSCAD's annual Spring Maker's Market. Browse and shop original art, handmade goods, and unique crafts created by talented student artists and local artisans. Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NSCAD's Port Campus, Loggia Gallery and Rooms P207/P208, 1107 Marginal Road, Halifax, NS. Read more.

MAYHEM 2026: NSCAD will host its MAYHEM 2026 year-end showcases in late-April and early-May, leading up to the 2026 graduation ceremony on May 12. Highlights of activities include:
Student Film Screening (Wednesday, April 22), Park Lane Cinema
Student Art Award and Celebration (Thursday, April 23), Anna Leonowens 
Student Fashion Showcase (Sunday, April 26), Alderney Landing
NSCAD Design Week (April 27-30) 
NSCAD Design Shift Awards (Thursday, April 30)
2026 Graduation Exhibition Closing Reception (Monday, May 11), Anna Leonowens. Read more.

Event: The Dartmouth Makers Market 2026 will hold a spring pop-up market at IKEA on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Dartmouth Makers Markets feature artisans in ceramics, jewellery, cosmetics, apparel, print and paper, textiles, food, and more! Illustrator Sarah Christie (BFA 2008) will be among the artists at the market. Check out the market at IKEA, 645 Cutler Ave., Dartmouth, NS. Read more.

The new Head, Heart, and Hand Fund -- Powered by NSCAD Alumni: As NSCAD alumni, we know the value of what our university community gave us — spaces to create, mentors who inspired us, and experiences that shaped our lives. Now, we have a chance to give back in a way that ensures those opportunities remain vibrant for future students. We've created an alumni fund dedicated to supporting what makes NSCAD exceptional—studio access, creative spaces, mentorship, and experiences that aren’t covered by the operating budget.  Supporting this new philanthropic initiative is a simple but powerful way to make an even bigger impact. Donate here.