Did you think Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) shuts up shop during the summer? Summer is anything but quiet at ECU!
We’ve been busier than ever with exhibitions, events and initiatives that showcase the work of our summer teens, lo-res MFA students and current students. Here’s a rundown on what summer has been like for our community of creative thinkers, artists and designers.
Indigenous Summer Market (June 5)
For the third year running, the Aboriginal Gathering Place hosted the annual Indigenous Summer Market in National Indigenous History Month, where 30+ creative makers filled our space with their unique gifts and artistry. From hot sauce, rings made out of antique cutlery, streetwear to ceramics and beaded art, the unparalleled talent of these artists was on full display with our most well-attended market. Stay tuned for the Winter Market in late November through the AGP’s Instagram.
These Light-Filled Bodies | MFA 2026 Exhibition (July 6-16)
The halls of ECU were abuzz with ‘These Light-Filled Bodies,’ a vibrant summer exhibition showcasing the works of our talented MFA students. A culmination of their two-year journey, this exhibition featured the delicate matrilineal influences in Inuvialuit fashion to the tactile history of Métis floral dog blankets and the deep resonance of Nikkei indigo methodology. Visitors were treated to an incredible breadth of work, including hand-spun woven forms, embroidery, paintings, ceramics and video installations. Congratulations to the cohort on this fantastic achievement!
ECU Students at Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (July 10-12)
This July, nine ECU students brought their outstanding practices to the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Canada’s longest-running outdoor art show. Recognizing ECU’s centennial and TOAF’s 65th anniversary, TOAF x ECU brings ECU talent to Canada’s largest outdoor art fair and provides crucial professional development opportunities for emerging artists. The initiative was made possible in partnership with TOAF, the Audain Faculty of Art, the Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies, and the Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship. . Visit the TOAF x ECU webpage for details on exhibiting artists and links to their online shops.
Meraki | Summer Teens Exhibition (July 24-Aug 6)
For many young learners, the Summer Institute for Teens (SIT) and Junior Art Institute programs allow them to tap into their creativity and grow their portfolios. Our youth programs allow students to experiment with various mediums like drawing, painting, animation, and architectural design to bring their brainstorms and ideas into fruition.
For their exhibition, the students selected the name ‘Meraki’ which means to do something with soul, love, or creativity or to leave a piece of yourself in your work. This soulful creativity was on display with our biggest opening night where parents, guardians and peers saw their artistic growth in action.
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun | Libby Leshgold Open Studio Residency (Summer 2026)
If you’ve popped by the Libby Leshgold Gallery, you will see Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’lo:tseltun at work on his expansive painting Global Warming Wildfire. The painting is the latest in Lawrence’s Fire Painting series and reflects our current moment of out-of-control fires and a warming world. Lawrence is one of three artists whose new works will be showcased at the gallery. The other artists include Whess Harman (Carrier Wit’at) and Marianne Nicolson (Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, Musga̱maḵw Dzawada̱’enux̱w First Nations).
Alone Together | MFA 2026 Low-Residency Exhibition (July 28-Aug 7)
Showcasing the works of 14 artists in our Low-Residency MFA program, this exhibition reflects the unique disciplines of the cohort. With a range of different mediums, the students displayed their thoughtful and expressive works and highlighted how community can be built even through geographical distance.
That’s a wrap on a busy summer at ECU but there’s plenty more to come! From the Foundation Show in early September to AGP Art Camps, the new semester brings another season of exhibitions, learning opportunities and community connections. Stay tuned for what’s next!