On April 14 and 15, Toronto art lovers and students will have a chance to see what Sheridan College illustration students have been working on for the past four years. The 2016 graduation show, titled The Neighbourhood, will showcase more than 400 works from nearly 80 students working in media as diverse as drawing to motion graphics. Past shows have attracted upwards of 1000 people.
Beena Mistry, a member of the 2016 graduation council, says the show’s title comes from the students’ sense of community. “The grads this year are such a close-knit group. In keeping with that theme, all the promotional material are work that the grads collaborated on. It just goes to show that we can make good work whether by ourselves or together.”
Despite the school’s Oakville location, the graduate show will be held at 99 Sudbury Street in downtown Toronto. “We’ve been holding our shows in downtown Toronto for many years now, and they’ve become a staple event in the Toronto art community,” says Mistry. “The train ride from Oakville to Toronto is where we get to freak out about the show quietly, but together.” Mistry says that show’s location is important for exposure: “The grad show is an incredibly important way of getting our talented grads in the Toronto art community. It’s a great way for us to get our foot in the door we can start our careers!”
In return, the graduates expect to see what Mistry calls “a huge buzz” about the event. “A lot of our guests pop in because they’re in the area and they want to see what’s going on. There’s a huge line to get into the show on opening night.” Hungry guests can get their snack needs met by the Rancho Relaxo Food Truck, which will offer vegan and gluten-free options.
Past graduates of Sheridan’s illustration program include Graham Roumieu, author of Autobiography of Big Foot, and the program is considered one of the best in North America. “We get students from around the world to study here, making the program very diverse,” says Mistry. But the show will reinforce that, no matter where they came from, these graduates are now part of Toronto’s illustration community. “We all take inspiration from each other, and being able to talk to other creative folks is an enriching experience.”