Alumni Success Stories

Congratulations to alumnus Stan Douglas who was named the recipient of the Scotiabank Photography Award, which is given annually to Canadian contemporary photographer. In addition to a cash prize of $50,000, Douglas will have a solo exhibition at the CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto next year, and a collection of Douglas’ work will be published internationally.

Read more at CBC.ca.

Emily Carr presents the first in a series of Alumni Stories, celebrating the success of our graduates.

First up, Erin Boniferro, proprietor of Collage Collage, a business that encourages children's creativity. The shop is one part store, with a range of art supplies, books, toys and handmade goods; one part school, with ongoing classes and workshops; and one part studio, where children are encouraged to draw, read a book, take in the artist of the month and simply be inspired.

In January, Jason DaSilva (MAA ’08) made a second visit to the prestigious Sundance Film Festival for the world premiere of his film, When I Walk.  His first visit was ten year’s earlier with the award-winning documentary short, Olivia’s Puzzle, which qualified for an Academy Award. In these ten years Jason’s life changed significantly, both personally and professionally.

Albert Law's ('11) work with the Canadian Forces and Vancouver Police Department have been selected as winning entries in the Applied Arts 2013 Photography Annual.

One series and two individual photographs will be published in the May issue. This is the second year that Albert's images have been selected for the annual publication, three of his images were featured in the 2012 edition. To see more work, visit www.albertlaw.ca.

Congratulations Albert!

 Assistant professor Kyla Mallett has a solo exhibition at Mercer Union - A Centre for Contemporary Art in Toronto from January 10 to February 16, 2013.

The works for How to See and Read the Aura began as a tangent to Mallett’s Self-Help work. In collecting second-hand self-help materials, she encountered a book entitled How to See and Read the Aura which fell under the category of parapsychology and new-age healing. This text became a key element to her research in self-help, which Mallett expanded on in this body of work centred around this book.

Congratulations to Hua Jin ('12) who picked up the Mayor's Art Award for Emerging Artist in September.

Hua Jin is a visual artist who has exhibited photo-based works in Canada, China, and the Netherlands. Originally trained as an animator and graphic designer, she has also worked as an artistic and creative director. Her works are included in many publications and private collections including the public collection of Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai (MOCA).

Emily Carr alumna Heather Anderson has been appointed as the new curator at Carleton University Art Gallery.

Heather brings to the CUAG an extensive knowledge of and passion for contemporary art, and an exemplary record of curatorial projects and publications. Since 2006, she has worked at the National Gallery of Canada, as Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, and more recently, Assistant Curator of Modern Canadian Art.

Meet Pat and Dean. Born on the same day, 14 years apart, Pat Christie (‘11) and Dean Bennett (‘10) met in their second year at Emily Carr and soon realized they shared more than a common birthday. With a passion for industrial design, they collaborated on their 4^th year grad project, Avanti K3. Unique in purpose, Avanti K3 incorporated the physical and emotional needs of users by providing choices to suit the individual while reducing stigmas and changing perceptions of the wheelchair user.

Claire Madill ('07) recently returned from Toronto where she successfully participated in the Spring One of a Kind Show and Sale after being nominated by Emily Carr to be placed in the Craft Community of Canada Section. Her booth was one of 10 booths in the section and showcased her works, including the "Vintage Jar Series" which was photographed for the show’s marketing campaign and flyer.

New Westminster-born artist Joseph Plaskett, established the Joseph Plaskett Foundation in 2004 to support a mature Canadian student to travel and/or study art in Europe for one year.  We are pleased to announce that the 2011 winner of the Joseph Plaskett Award was Emily Carr alum, Jessica Groome ('02).  The $25,000 award is selected by a jury of artists, who are all respected painters and educators.  Jessica received her BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in 2007 and has since gone on to various group exhibitions and her own solo show.  Her destination of choice from the generosity of the Plaske