Pixel Heller, Self-Portrait, 2022. 2023 Black History Month Digital Exhibition at Yonge-Dundas Square. Photo by Tizzi Tan.
2024 Yonge-Dundas Square
Black History Month Digital Exhibition
Call for Artists
Details
ARTISTS
We're excited to announce Abby Adjekum, Dose Omoruna, Pixel Heller and Uzoma Ekpunobi as the recipients of the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher!
Their work will premiere at Yonge-Dundas Square for February 2024.
Abby Adjekum
Abby Adjekum, an emerging Hamilton artist and curator, crafts introspective art exploring Black femininity, intimacy, and safety. Her narrative works illuminate ideas, memories, and moments, delving into emotional vulnerability and tolerances shaped by cultural identity. She attended OCAD for Drawing and Painting and has returned for Criticism and Curatorial Practice.
Instagram: @abbyboy
Dose Omoruna
Dose Omoruna, a Toronto-based multimedia artist attending OCAD University, explores self-expression, storytelling, and Black culture through vibrant digital illustrations, paintings, and cinematography. Dose has showcased work in festivals and venues internationally. Currently pursuing a degree in Integrated Media, his artistic approach engages viewers through vibrancy, dynamic characters, and comedic elements.
Website: www.doseomoruna-portfolio.format.com
Instagram: @drawn.by.dose
Pixel Heller
With an artistic journey intertwined with themes of Black identity, carnival masquerade, and the preservation of culture, Pixel has chosen to depict her work in many mediums encompassing paintings, drawings, performances, and textiles. Her work encourages us to embrace the rich complexities of our own identities and heritage.
Website: www.pixel-heller.format.com
Instagram: @100mega_pixel
Uzoma Ekpunobi
As a documentary/portrait photographer and graphic designer, Uzoma develops her creativity towards social change in equity-deserving communities. On their journey towards reconciliation through decolonization, Uzoma creates still moments of people's relationships with their environments, themselves and an understanding of people's adaptations while trying to maintain their historical/cultural connections.
Instagram: @oozomss
OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
Yonge-Dundas Square and the Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers are excited to announce the return of the annual Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher providing an exhibition opportunity for artists from the OCAD U community to exhibit their work on the square’s digital screens. Artists are invited to submit artworks to be displayed across five (5) digital screens for the duration of Black History Month in February 2024.
Artists are asked to respond to the theme of Celebration, which celebrates their representation of Black culture and echoes the wide range of activities, community celebrations and events hosted at the Square.
Location of 5 screens in Square can be viewed here
This opportunity is for artists who identify as Black. The successful applicants will each receive an exhibition fee ($500) provided by the CEAD.
ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
Since 2021, the Black History Month Digital Exhibition Career Launcher has been presented by the RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers with Yonge-Dundas Square. The Career Launchers program by OCAD U’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers (RBC CEAD) supports the career development of emerging artists and professionals by connecting them with real world opportunities to exhibit and share their art. Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique focal point of the downtown Toronto community. The Square is designated for use as a public open space and as an event venue that can accommodate events of various sizes.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Contact info (Name, phone, and email)
- Current creative CV
- Website and/or social media handle
- Artist statement/bio (150 words max
- A brief statement reflecting on your work and the theme of Celebration (150 words)
- 5 - 8 images or video links (Vimeo, Youtube, etc) of existing work to be submitted for consideration.
- A corresponding list for the support images including: artist name, title, year, medium, size, and duration (for time-based work).
- Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received a Career Launcher opportunity.
TIMELINE
- Week of December 4, 2023 - Artists are selected and notified
- December 18, 2023 - High resolution artwork files scaled for screen dimensions due.
- February, 2024 - Digital exhibition
APPLICATION SUPPORT
The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.
Applicants who need assistance with their submissions are invited to connect with the RBC CEAD for Advising support. Click here to learn more about how to book an advising appointment.
PARTNER
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St E
Toronto, ON M5B 2R8
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with Yonge-Dundas Square, and the CEAD to ensure high-resolution and properly sized artwork files are delivered to YDS by December 18, 2023
QUALIFICATIONS
- Current OCAD U undergraduate and graduate level students and recent grads (class of 2023 or 2022)
- Selected artists must have a screen-based practice including but not limited to static, moving images, and multi-channel.
- Please note that artworks must comply with YDS Display Policy available here and City of Toronto’s Municipal Code Chapter 694 - 18, E, (4) and (5) regulations available here
RATE
- $500 Artist fee
DEADLINE
Monday, November 27, 2023 at 8:00 AM ET
