Life At NSCAD
“NSCAD changed my life. I think of all those conversations I have […] about conceptualizing and narrating strategies—all that learning goes right into my work. It’s what I deal with every day.”
Paula Fairfield (BFA 1984 and DFA 2021), an Emmy award winner for outstanding sound design on the series Game of Thrones and an eight-time nominee for her work on shows like Lost.
STUDENT PROFILES
CYNTHIA FRASCHETTI
Meet Cynthia Fraschetti, a fourth-year student majoring in sculpture and minoring in jewellery! Cynthia is an interdisciplinary artist whose main interest lies in sculpture and jewellery. Her work explores her own concepts of interconnectivity, abundance and beauty within our universe by creating pieces that honour the integrity of the materials she uses. “Drawing inspiration from and using natural and found objects, my process employs fate-filled and serendipitous moments in which I react to and work with materials in a way that often leads to a final piece that I can never fully anticipate.”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you want to become an artist?
I can’t really say that I’ve ever wanted to be an artist because I feel that I have always been one. Obviously there has been and will continue to be a lot of time, refinement, and learning dedicated to my craft, but knowing that this is a process that will never have an end is what excites me and urges me to continue pursuing my passions. I love having the capability to explore my concepts of interest through creating tangible things, but what I am truly grateful for is the way that art acts as a gateway for me to connect with others in multiple ways.
What made you want to attend NSCAD?
I chose to go to NSCAD because of its interdisciplinary approach and small class sizes. I was intrigued by the idea of having the ability to customize my own degree by having the opportunity to take courses in various fields, all the while having closely-knit classes and discussions with students and professors.
You can find more of Cynthia’s work on Instagram @cynthia_fraschetti.
Work featured:
Continuum
a sculpture by Cynthia Fraschetti
CYNTHIA FRASCHETTI
Meet Cynthia Fraschetti, a fourth-year student majoring in sculpture and minoring in jewellery! Cynthia is an interdisciplinary artist whose main interest lies in sculpture and jewellery. Her work explores her own concepts of interconnectivity, abundance and beauty within our universe by creating pieces that honour the integrity of the materials she uses. “Drawing inspiration from and using natural and found objects, my process employs fate-filled and serendipitous moments in which I react to and work with materials in a way that often leads to a final piece that I can never fully anticipate.”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you want to become an artist?
I can’t really say that I’ve ever wanted to be an artist because I feel that I have always been one. Obviously there has been and will continue to be a lot of time, refinement, and learning dedicated to my craft, but knowing that this is a process that will never have an end is what excites me and urges me to continue pursuing my passions. I love having the capability to explore my concepts of interest through creating tangible things, but what I am truly grateful for is the way that art acts as a gateway for me to connect with others in multiple ways.
What made you want to attend NSCAD?
I chose to go to NSCAD because of its interdisciplinary approach and small class sizes. I was intrigued by the idea of having the ability to customize my own degree by having the opportunity to take courses in various fields, all the while having closely-knit classes and discussions with students and professors.
You can find more of Cynthia’s work on Instagram @cynthia_fraschetti.
Work featured:
Continuum
a sculpture by Cynthia Fraschetti
IVAN FLORES
We would like to give you some insight into the artistic practice of fourth year NSCAD student Ivan Flores, who is doing a Textiles/Fashion major and an Art History minor.
“My practice so far has been a process of figuring out what concepts and processes really resonate with me, so my work isn’t really consistent conceptually. But hey, isn’t that what art school is for? In this most recent work though, I explored things that have been said ‘out loud’ to me or by me in my dreams and interpreting the feelings they gave me into colours and textures as materials in weavings!”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you want to become an artist?
I’ve expressed myself in creative ways since I was a kid. I’ve always believed the saying “If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day for the rest of your life,” so following art as a career path made the most sense to me. I have a very visual brain, so I appreciate that I can use my art as a tool to visually work through my thoughts.
What made you attend NSCAD and what’s your favourite part about NSCAD?
Being from Ontario, I am always getting this question because I could have gone to one of the various art schools there. I chose to come to NSCAD because I was drawn to the sense of community that I got. Being close to the ocean was definitely a plus! I would say my favourite part about NSCAD are the friends I’ve been able to make across disciplines! It’s so nice to be surrounded by creative people who approach their work so differently and to be able to bounce ideas off of them.
To see more about Ivan and their work, check out their Instagram page @ivxnart.
Work featured: “Mother Giant”
IVAN FLORES
We would like to give you some insight into the artistic practice of fourth year NSCAD student Ivan Flores, who is doing a Textiles/Fashion major and an Art History minor.
“My practice so far has been a process of figuring out what concepts and processes really resonate with me, so my work isn’t really consistent conceptually. But hey, isn’t that what art school is for? In this most recent work though, I explored things that have been said ‘out loud’ to me or by me in my dreams and interpreting the feelings they gave me into colours and textures as materials in weavings!”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you want to become an artist?
I’ve expressed myself in creative ways since I was a kid. I’ve always believed the saying “If you do something you love, you’ll never work a day for the rest of your life,” so following art as a career path made the most sense to me. I have a very visual brain, so I appreciate that I can use my art as a tool to visually work through my thoughts.
What made you attend NSCAD and what’s your favourite part about NSCAD?
Being from Ontario, I am always getting this question because I could have gone to one of the various art schools there. I chose to come to NSCAD because I was drawn to the sense of community that I got. Being close to the ocean was definitely a plus! I would say my favourite part about NSCAD are the friends I’ve been able to make across disciplines! It’s so nice to be surrounded by creative people who approach their work so differently and to be able to bounce ideas off of them.
To see more about Ivan and their work, check out their Instagram page @ivxnart.
Work featured: “Mother Giant”
ALEX MASSE
Textiles/Fashion artist and student Alex Masse, who has just finished her third year at NSCAD, creates beautiful and colourful textiles pieces, often marrying crochet and fashion.
“Lately, in my work I have been exploring bright saturated colours, a lot of my inspiration comes from past architectural movements. I find buildings with large spaces, the movement of space and natural elements around me inspire me the most. I try to translate those feelings into art.”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you become an artist?
Art has always been integrated with my lifestyle, classifying myself as an artist only felt natural.
What made you attend NSCAD and what is your favourite part about NSCAD?
What made me attend NSCAD was the 24-hour studio access. My favourite part about NSCAD is the small class sizes and lots of studio space.
What about textiles excites you over another medium like sculpture, print, or painting?
I’ve always been drawn to textiles, I feel like I can manipulate textiles into the product I want. I have always loved texture, and textiles can easily let me explore texture in a sculptural way.
To see more of Alex’s work, you can find her @mangopinkdragon on Instagram and at her website www.alexandriamasse.com.
ALEX MASSE
Textiles/Fashion artist and student Alex Masse, who has just finished her third year at NSCAD, creates beautiful and colourful textiles pieces, often marrying crochet and fashion.
“Lately, in my work I have been exploring bright saturated colours, a lot of my inspiration comes from past architectural movements. I find buildings with large spaces, the movement of space and natural elements around me inspire me the most. I try to translate those feelings into art.”
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario
What made you become an artist?
Art has always been integrated with my lifestyle, classifying myself as an artist only felt natural.
What made you attend NSCAD and what is your favourite part about NSCAD?
What made me attend NSCAD was the 24-hour studio access. My favourite part about NSCAD is the small class sizes and lots of studio space.
What about textiles excites you over another medium like sculpture, print, or painting?
I’ve always been drawn to textiles, I feel like I can manipulate textiles into the product I want. I have always loved texture, and textiles can easily let me explore texture in a sculptural way.
To see more of Alex’s work, you can find her @mangopinkdragon on Instagram and at her website www.alexandriamasse.com.