An Evening for OCAD U at 150
With Karim Rashid at OCAD U’s 150th anniversary celebration.
Last night, Mira and I joined OCAD University’s 150th anniversary celebration at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Old friends, familiar faces, and a chance to meet someone whose work has been a huge inspiration to me. A pretty good Monday evening.
The fabulous Jeanne Beker hosted, with Ana Serrano opening the programme with an inspiring speech. A film tracing the school’s history brought home just how much OCAD’s artists and designers have contributed to Canada’s cultural identity. As a graduate, it’s easy to think about the school through your own experience. Seeing that much work and history together gives you a different perspective on the place.
There were performances by Turtle Jack and SPLASH, the show choir from Etobicoke School of the Arts, along with an interview with OCAD alumnus Barry Blitt. His illustrations for The New Yorker are such a distinctive combination of drawing, observation and wit. It was a pleasure to hear from the person behind those images.
The highlight for me was meeting and chatting with Karim Rashid. He’s a Canadian design icon and someone I’ve admired for a long time. His confidence with colour and form, and his unmistakable point of view, have been a massive inspiration. Getting to spend a little time with him made an already memorable evening particularly special.
The audience was quite a gathering, too: David Mirvish, former OCAD presidents Sara Diamond and Ron Shuebrook, fellow alum Rosalie Sharp, Shinan Govani, Gala committee chair Jeff Hull, and Stephen Bulger, whose enthusiasm for photography always makes him good company.
I also caught up with my old friend Alfred Engerer. We spent plenty of time reminiscing about the OCAD days and his glass studio on Dufferin Street. So many memories. There’s something wonderful about picking up a conversation with someone who knew you when you were still figuring out what you wanted to make.
That was what stayed with me about the evening: the connection between the work, the school and the people. Looking around the theatre, I felt proud to be part of that community—and very happy to be there with Mira.
Afterwards, we went to Nobu for a bite and some cocktails. A little more conversation, a good drink, and a very nice end to the night.
