NSCAD University

NSCAD University is proud to welcome Dr. Joshua Schwab-Cartas as our newest Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Global Indigenous Cultural Practice. 🎉

An assistant professor in NSCAD's Master of Art Education program, Dr. Schwab-Cartas has spent more than 20 years working alongside Indigenous youth and Elders across numerous Indigenous communities. His research, teachings, and creative practice are grounded in relationship-building, community engagement, and Indigenous ways of knowing. 📚

“My goal has been to foster connections among Indigenous nations by creating opportunities for us to learn from one another within our own cultural contexts and environments," he says. "This is not about promoting a pan-Indigenous framework, but about encouraging mutual understanding while respecting the distinctiveness of each nation.”

Congratulations to Dr. Schwab-Cartas on this exciting achievement! 👏

👉 Read the full announcement on our website: https://ow.ly/vM5C50ZabQX

📷Wiebke Schroeder

What happens when you ask elementary students to imagine their dream school? 🏫🐠

At St. Catherine's Elementary, this simple question sparked a collaboration between NSCAD University artists and nearly 100 primary students. Together, they transformed the school's library into a vibrant underwater-themed mural inspired by the children's ideas, stories, and creativity. 🎨🍎

“We treat the kids in the school as knowledge keepers, which doesn’t happen enough in primary school,” said Jordan Bennett, Associate Professor in the Division of Media Arts, who led the project. “The students really took it upon themselves to not only design the art, but create this narrative for their space.”

👉Read more about the project: https://ow.ly/unq750Z9EKe

📷 Ginger Yu and Ross Nervig

Congratulations to NSCAD alumni Angela Henderson (MFA 2016) and Jayme Spinks (MDes 2015), for winning an Alcuin Society Book Design Award for their work on Solomon Nagler’s book, "piyyut." 🏆📕

Designed and published by Jayme through Nevermore Press and Copy Shop Books, and featuring illustrations by Angela, "piyyut" will now be part of Canada's entry into the 'Best Book Design from all over the World' competition in Germany.

Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement by our talented alumni! 👏🎉

👉Read more about the book design process on our website: https://ow.ly/IKBQ50Z7IqQ

📷Courtesy of Angela Henderson and Jayme Spinks

Over the past semester, the Anna Leonowens Gallery has been transformed by eight remarkable MFA Thesis Exhibitions, each offering a glimpse into the research, experimentation, and diverse practices that define graduate study at NSCAD University.

As a final stage of the MFA, each graduating student presents a two-week solo thesis exhibition. The MFA thesis exhibitions were by Bianca McDonald, Nour El Sabeh, Forbes Sang, Nadine Sures, Yuting Song, Sarah Young, Vanessa Iafolla, and Quinn O’Connor.

These exhibitions represent more than a final requirement. They are the culmination of years of research, critical dialogue, studio practice, and community engagement. 

Thank you to everyone who visited, attended openings and artist talks, supported these exhibitions, and helped celebrate the achievements of our graduating MFA students.

📸 Nour El Sabeh (images 1,2,4,5,6,7,8) and courtesy of the artist Forbes Sang (image 3)

NSCAD University is saddened by the passing of Ian Austen, who passed peacefully on May 22, 2026. 🕊️

Ian was a graduate of NSCAD’s Bachelor of Design in Visual Communications program and served the university in many roles over the years, including faculty, Director of Extension Services, Chairperson of the Craft Division, Board member, and Honorary Life Governor.

A passionate advocate for accessible and lifelong learning, Ian made a lasting impact on the NSCAD community and on generations of students, colleagues, and artists in Nova Scotia and beyond.

A celebration of Ian’s life will be held today, Thursday, May 28, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Church, 1479 Barrington Street, Halifax.

We extend our sincere condolences to Ian’s family, friends, former students, and all who knew him.

📷 Courtesy of family

A huge congratulations to NSCAD alumna Signy Holm (MAAE 2025) on receiving the Canadian Association for Curriculum Studies (CACS) ARTS SIG Master’s Thesis Award! 🎉🏆

Signy’s award-winning thesis, "Wayfinding Through Waste: A Collective Living Archive of Coast Plastic," explores how marine debris can become a site for art, environmental reflection, and community engagement. By reframing plastic waste as an archeological object, Holm invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with nature and these objects. 🌊♻️

“I would see things like glass and ceramics washed up on the shore, but then I started to notice pieces of plastic coming up more and more," Holm explained. "So, I thought [...] why not treat it as a type of artefact?”

We’re so proud to celebrate Signy and this incredible achievement! 👏

👉Read the full article on our website: https://ow.ly/U7kw50Z3R9X

📷 Courtesy of Signy Holm.

It's all fun and games at the NSCAD Graduate Exhibition. 🎨🕹️

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our graduating students—and a huge shoutout to Busola Osho for curating such a fantastic show!

Until next year 👋✨

📷Wiebke Schroeder

to the NSCAD Student Art Award! 🏆🎉

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate and support our incredible students. See you at the next one! 👋

👉See more photos on the Student Art Award webpage: https://ow.ly/9xCe50Z0lrM

📷 Wiebke Schroeder