Watch the recording on our official YouTube channel.
Explore the grads’ accomplishments, awards, and next steps below.
The Collegiate Bronze Medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level post-secondary program (minimum two-year, full-time duration). This year's Governor General Award recipient is Em Pepin, graduating from 3D Digital Design.
Every year, the Acquisition Award is given to a student whose work is considered best in show. Each graduating piece from NBCCD's annual diploma show is considered and one is selected to be purchased for the college for $1000. This year's Acquisition Award was presented to Katherine Neily for her ceramic sculpture, 'A Small Fish Sleeps in His Bed and Has a Wonderful Dream.' There were also two runners-up this year: Graphic Design student Zoe Harquil's 'Book Cover Design' and Wabanaki Visual Arts student Emily Johnson's 'Als'g waio'psgl.'
Listen to the full address by 2023 valedictorian and NBCCD Photography/Videography graduate Miriam Torres López (@miriamtl_photojournal) as she reflects on her time pursuing her passions at NBCCD.
Emily Johnson, (@ansalewit.angel) a Mi’kmaq artist from Listiuguj First Nation, graduated from NBCCD's Wabanaki Visual Arts program with a speciality in beadwork. She said she gained more confidence in herself and her artistic abilities while taking the two-year diploma program.
“The second year is where I really bloomed. Every class had something to do with my medium which helped me improve very fast in the short time we had.”
In Wabanaki Visual Arts, students learn the traditional craft mediums of the Mi’kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki peoples. This includes creating pieces with quillwork, beading, woodcarving, wampum making, and/or basketry. Students also learn about the history of the region, Wolastoqey language, regalia, traditional medicine, and harvesting.
Johnson said she always felt supported by the staff and faculty around her, which includes Studio Head Judie Acquin and Traditional Wolastoqewi Grand Chief spasaqsit possesom (Ron Tremblay), who is also NBCCD’s elder-in-residence.
Johnson recently completed her grad piece, “Als’g waio’psgl,” a trio of beautifully crafted, beaded birds. It took 114 hours and more than 2000 beads. 🦜🕊️
“I wanted to show the beauty in other birds that people don’t normally pay attention to by capturing the colours and patterns through the beads.”
The grad piece was one of two honourable mentions for NBCCD’s Acquisition Award prize, which honours the piece considered Best in Show at the Diploma Exhibition. Her piece is now on display at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Johnson has plans to continue her education in the arts in Ontario or Nova Scotia, where she plans to learn more art techniques and improve on her drawing and painting abilities.
Two Jewellery/Metal Arts students received Educational Endowment Scholarships from the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Min Peng (left) won $1000 and Shaghayegh Radmehr (right) was awarded $250. The highly competitive international funds "exist to further educational opportunities for students and professionals looking to broaden their education in the metalsmithing and jewellery field." In 2023, there was a total of $10,000 awarded and the selection committee was made of Jina Seo, Brian Fleetwood, Tanya Crane and April Wood.
“NBCCD brought my craft to a level where I can confidently sell my work.” 💙🖤
Sophie Meade graduated in 2023 from the weaving stream of NBCCD’s Textile Design program, and is currently growing her business selling woven and hand-dyed pieces. She said NBCCD helped her greatly improve her weaving skills and taught her many natural and synthetic dyeing techniques. 🧵
The two-year Textile Design diploma teaches its students how to work from fibre to fabric to finished pieces. They can also choose to specialize in weaving or machine knitting. In addition to knitting and weaving, students also study dye methods, felting, spinning, screen printing, surface embellishment, and textile history.
Meade is currently selling her work at the Garrison Night Market and Fredericton Farmer's Market as well as teaching art to kids and organizing activities over the summer at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
She said her favourite part of NBCCD is the community. 🏘️
“The instructors really care about the success of their students and I know that as I'm leaving, I can always ask them for help and they are just a message away.”
You can find her and her work at @sophie_meade_textiles on Instagram and TikTok.
#textiledesign #nbccd #newbrunswickart #newbrunswickartists #studytextiledesign #artcollege
Made possible by the generous support of individual donors, businesses, and organizations.
Governor General’s Academic Medal
Em Pepin – The Collegiate Bronze Medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall average upon graduation from a diploma-level post-secondary program (minimum two-year, full-time duration).
Fashion Show Award ($1000)
Evyenia Aretakis – Awarded to the first-year Fashion Design student with highest GPA, returning for second year.
Bianca Moreira Mozer – Awarded to the Fashion Design graduate with highest GPA.
Academic Excellence in Foundation Visual Arts
Alexzandria Ackerson – Awarded to the FVA graduate with the highest GPA, returning for full-time study. ($1000)
Mariel Reyes Guevara – Awarded to the FVA graduate with the second highest GPA, returning for full-time study. ($500)
Brennan Roy – Awarded to the FVA graduate with the third highest GPA, returning for full-time study. ($500)
Brian Smith Memorial Prize for Photography/Videography (2023) ($1000)
Miriam Torres López – Awarded to the Photography/Videography graduate with the highest academic standing.
Duffie-Crowell Award
Sara Griffin – Most deserving diploma graduate who will be pursuing a career in craft. ($1000)
Natasha Sacobie – Most deserving graduate of Advanced Studio Practice who will be pursuing a career in craft. ($500)
George Fry Excellence in Design Award ($500)
Em Pepin – Most deserving diploma graduate who will be pursuing a career in design.
Dr. Ivan Crowell Award for Excellence in Weaving ($500)
Micah Godbout – Most deserving diploma graduate who will be pursuing a career in craft.
Friends of the Silver Society Silversmithing Award ($500)
Ariel Dufour – Awarded to a graduating student in the Jewellery/Metal Arts program who demonstrates exceptional craftmanship and design.
Min Peng – Awarded to a graduating student in the Jewellery/Metal Arts program who demonstrates exceptional craftmanship and design.
Award for Excellence in Drawing ($250)
Laura Silva – Awarded to a diploma student who has demonstrated excellence in drawing.
Award for Excellence in 3D Digital Design ($250)
Thiago Bandeira – Awarded to a 3D Digital Design student who has excelled in their work.
Beatrice Tingley Award ($200)
Shaghayegh Radmehr – Awarded to a Jewellery/Metal Arts student who demonstrates mastery of metal-forming techniques and displays excellence in craftsmanship and design.
Fredericton Quilter’s Guild Award ($200)
Mariel Pliego Armenta – Awarded to a first-year student in the Textile Design program who excels in textiles and returning for second year.
Dorothy Taylor – Awarded to a second-year Textile Design student with the highest GPA.
Judy Fitch Alum Award for Excellence in Metal Arts ($200)
Emily Dao – Awarded to a Jewellery/Metal Arts student who has excelled in their work.
Tucker’s Pottery Award for Ceramics ($200)
Sara Griffin – Ceramics graduate with the highest GPA.
Fibre Arts Network Award ($200)
Amanda Strutt – Awarded to a Textile Design student who has produced innovative work.
Develop Award ($125)
Grace Hallewell – Awarded to a student who demonstrates a desire to become a professional photographer. The award is based on financial need, professional potential, and overall contribution to the NBCCD Photography/Videography community.
Award for Excellence in Wabanaki Visual Arts ($100)
Lisa-Maude Aubin-Bérubé – Awarded to a Wabanaki Visual Arts student who has excelled in their work.
Emily Johnson – Awarded to a Wabanaki Visual Arts student who has excelled in their work.
Covey Basics Award for Excellence in Graphic Design ($100)
Chloé Cyr-Roncetti – Awarded to a Graphic Design student who has excelled in their work.
Fredericton Art Club Award ($100)
Cleo Gallant – Awarded to a deserving drawing student in a diploma program.
Photo Fredericton Award for Academic Excellence ($100)
Ivy Grenier – Awarded to a deserving Photography/Videography graduate demonstrating academic excellence.
The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD), located in historic downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick, offers certificates and diplomas in fine craft and design. Annually welcoming 300 students from around the world, NBCCD trains students in professional studio classrooms to forge sustainable, creative careers. Entrepreneurship, mentorship, and hands-on training are staples of the college curriculum. Graduates of NBCCD have gone on to show at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks; hold coveted titles in film, graphic, textile, and 3D design; launch thriving studio practices; and have received scholarships, investments, awards, and recognition for designing a sustainable and creative future for their communities.
