Fleming College

The first time Christina Dedes encountered the bright red doors at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), she stopped in her tracks to read the quote “Within these walls, the walls within disappear.” Nervousness washed over her as she entered the building, and ever since that day Christina has felt a resolute sense of belonging.

“Within these walls, I’ve had powerful breakthroughs, emotional breakdowns, and moments of complete silence and meditation. Collectively, these emotional experiences have allowed me to grow into myself. Coming to HSAD has been a self-revealing experience, rooted in truth and authenticity,” she said.

Christina began her post-secondary journey in the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma program and is spending her second year in Integrated Design. She plans to receive both diplomas in 2019 after three years of study.

“It was inspiring to see my classmates develop and grow throughout the semester, and we supported each other through all the long days and sleepless nights.”

She describes Visual and Creative Arts as challenging but said it helped her develop a strong work ethic. She also gained a better understanding of materiality, form, composition, and digital programs like Photoshop.

“It was inspiring to see my classmates develop and grow throughout the semester, and we supported each other through all the long days and sleepless nights,” said Christina. “I am really proud of the VCAD class for all of our collective accomplishments, and for allowing ourselves to grow into new and wholesome human beings. By the end of VCAD, we were all a little less terrified of what was to come and a bit more confident of our abilities to create a better future.”

Looking back, Christina said those long days and late nights were some of her favourite HSAD moments, including ordering pizza to campus to enjoy with her classmates while working on projects. And despite feeling exhausted, Christina said she wouldn’t change a thing.

She decided to continue her studies at Fleming’s Haliburton Campus by enrolling in the Integrated Design program, which helps students discover what kind of designer they are meant to be.

“The creator of the program, Barr Gilmore, has created a diploma that gives a well-rounded view of the design world. Whether you’re learning about the history or applying the theory into your own design drawings, you can be confident that the skills you are building in the classroom will benefit you in real-world scenarios in the future,” said Christina, who enjoys using the Maker Space on campus, which features a laser cutter, plotter printer, and two 3D printers for students to use.

“The Haliburton School of Art + Design is unlike any place you’ve visited before, and it’s likely you’ll never come across a place like this again.”

She started the program on a high note, winning the MacBook Pro contest Fleming College hosted. Since most of Christina’s assignments are done through Adobe programs, having a laptop has helped her work on-the-go.

“The Haliburton School of Art + Design is unlike any place you’ve visited before, and it’s likely you’ll never come across a place like this again. Regardless of your skill level, you will be welcomed into the HSAD community, where you will meet many like-minded individuals who come from all over Ontario,” said Christina. “I cannot stress enough how fortunate the students are to be surrounded by so many compassionate and skilled artisans, designers, and creatives during the school year. The building itself offers space for every type of creative pursuit, and the beautiful, meditative campus will keep you grounded during your studies.”