Brandon University is once again looking for the right artist who will create a special memento for the coming year’s graduates. The university’s Convocation 2026 artwork will be presented to all graduates at Convocation in the spring, continuing the cherished annual tradition.
Today, Brandon University issued an official Open Call for artists interested in the challenge of creating an original work that reflects as much as possible the overall student experience of the academic year at Brandon University.
A print of the year’s art, at approximately 8”x10”, is included in each graduate’s parchment package, and is intended to be a frame-worthy memento of their time at BU. Interested artists have until end of day Sunday, Jan. 18 to put their names forward, and the university will make its selection in early to mid February.
“Every BU graduate carries with them the faces, spaces, and moments that made their time here unforgettable,” said BU Registrar Andrea McDaniel. “Convocation art transforms those memories into something beautifully tangible. We can’t wait to see how this year’s artists capture the spirit of our campus in their own unique style.”
Originally sparked by BU’s need to reinvent Convocations through virtual means in 2020 and 2021, the artwork has quickly become a highlight of the annual graduation ceremony. Contributing artists have included both established and emerging artists, with graduates taking home prints from Weiming Zhao, Jessie Jannuska, and Curt Shoultz, among others.
Last year’s artwork, by Katy Martin, was an oversized portrait of a bobcat, in black and white, overlaid on an abstract representation of campus, with hidden details that referenced the university’s 125th anniversary year.
“Convocation celebrates the people and places that define the BU experience,” McDaniel said. “We rely on an artist’s eye to help us honour those memories with creativity and heart. If you’ve ever been inspired by our campus, this is your chance to bring that inspiration to life.”
The call is open to all artists, who are asked to submit some brief information about themselves and their experience, as well as their initial vision for the art. Special consideration will be given to artists who have a connection to Brandon University or the regions where BU operates, as well as to artists who identify with underrepresented or marginalized groups. The commission awards a total of $1,000 to develop the final piece.
Prints of the art will be reproduced at about 8”x10” and will include “Class of 2026” or similar on them. They are intended to deliver for graduates a lasting and treasured keepsake that is suitable for proudly framing and displaying at home, at work, or in public.
For more information and to submit a proposal, see the open call for 2026 Convocation Art https://www.brandonu.ca/convocation/open-call-for-artists/.
Contact
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- communications@brandonu.ca
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