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Art of Imagery

The Art of Imagery contest challenges participants to explore new ways of thinking and representing their academic work through an art medium to be enjoyed by a broad audience. 

Gain valuable experience in presenting your academic work, receive constructive feedback, and engage with peers, faculty, and the wider community. This showcase serves as a platform to demonstrate the wide scope of innovative research and academic endeavours conducted within our university. By participating, students and postdoctoral fellows not only enhance their communication skills but also contribute to a vibrant academic exchange that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Artwork submission requirements

To participate, you are challenged to create an artwork in any medium and write a general abstract to complement it that describes the concepts underpinning the piece and its relationship to their research and its wider impact. You can submit a maximum of one artwork per competition year.

The following mediums are permitted:

  • Photography
  • Illustration (digital and non-digital)
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Sculpture
  • Textile
  • Ceramics/Pottery

Please note: Content generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted in submissions. Images such as computer-generated diagrams or electron microscopy images are not generally accepted as standalone submissions.

Electronic submission

In addition to physical display at the event, you must provide a high-quality digital image of your work for electronic submission in advance of the competition (e.g., digital art or photograph of traditional/physical artwork). The image included with your electronic submission must be an original, unpublished piece taken or created by you.

Image requirements

  • High resolution JPEG (min. 3300 x 4200 px, 300 dpi) 
  • Cropped to 11 x 14" print size before submitting
  • File size under 12 MB

Submission title (maximum 20 words)

Titles should be descriptive and jargon-free.  

Abstract (maximum 350 words)

Your abstract should describe your artwork and how it relates to your academic work, using jargon-free, public-friendly language. Artists should be prepared to answer questions regarding the inspiration of the art and how it relates to their academic work.

Eligibility

To participate in the Graduate Showcase, students must meet the eligibility criteria outlined below at the time of the event:

  • Must be registered in a Master's or Doctoral program or currently working as a postdoctoral fellow at the university.
  • Submissions must be a reflection of academic knowledge, work, paper, major project, and/or research.
  • Must be in clear academic standing at the time of the event with a cumulative GPA 2.7 or higher.
  • Doctoral and Master's students who have defended or submitted their thesis, project, paper, or portfolio, but have not yet convocated, are eligible to participate. 
  • Master's students who have convocated and continued on to a Doctoral program, as well as Doctoral graduates pursuing post-doctoral research, are also eligible, provided their poster reflects their progress and ongoing research since their defence.
  • Each participant is allowed to present only one submission at the event.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

Artwork rules

  • Content generated using artificial intelligence (AI) is not permitted in submissions.
  • Images such as computer-generated diagrams or electron microscopy images are not generally accepted as standalone submissions.
  • The image included with a participant's electronic submission must be an original, unpublished piece taken or created by the participant.

Competition rules 

  • Participants must set up their submission at the designated time before the event starts and take them down promptly at the end of the event.
  • Participants must be present at their submission at the time of judging for questions and discussion.
  • Participants will engage with all attendees professionally and respectfully.
  • By participating, you agree to allow the university to use photos and descriptions of your work for promotional purposes.
  • Participants must seek approval from supervisors or course instructors related to the academic work they intend to showcase.
  • Submission should focus on academic work and should not include commercial advertising or promotion of products/services.

 

Judging criteria

Prizes will be awarded in two categories: Best Overall ($1000) and People's Choice ($500).

Judging is based on three criteria:

  • Artistic quality of the submission
  • Creativity of the submission 
  • Meaningful connection between the artwork and the student's research