There’s something special about seeing your work on display, lit just right, with people pausing to take it in. For students at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD), that moment is more than just a milestone, it’s a chance to reflect on how far they’ve come. 

Every fall and winter semester, we host a student art exhibition to celebrate the end of the semester and reflect on the creativity, learning, and discoveries made along the way.  

For many students, it’s their first time showing work in a public setting. That can be exciting. But it’s also a huge part of the learning process. Preparing for an exhibition encourages students to think critically about their work, how to present it, and how to talk about their ideas with others. It builds confidence and opens the door to meaningful conversations with peers, instructors, and community members.  

“The final exhibition at the Haliburton School of Art + Design was a wonderful way to finish the semester. We were able to see the fruition of the hours we put into building our skills. It was also good practice in creating a booth setup and speaking about our work with strangers. If I lived closer to Haliburton, I would regularly attend these to see what students have made and find inspiration.” — Graduate, Ceramics, Class of 2025

An exhibition not only offers a glimpse into life at HSAD, it demonstrates the scope of practices offered. Students graduating from programs like Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Glassblowing, Jewellery Essentials, and Fibre Arts are provided the opportunity to exhibit a body of work completed over an intensive two-semester in one semester. 

“The students of the Art Certificates in Ceramics, Glassblowing, Fibre Arts, Drawing & Painting, and Jewellery, as well as the students of the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma, all put on a student exhibit at the end of each semester. For most of them, this represents the culminating moment of their academic experience at the Haliburton School of Art + Design. This one-day event, which is open to the public, is a crucial part of the curriculum where students apply key skills acquired in their courses, such as setting up and curating a display of their creations, presenting and articulating their creative journey and technical exploration, and applying their entrepreneurial and marketing abilities. This event is also highly anticipated by the community, which regularly shows its support for the school alongside friends and families of the students.” — Xavier Massé (Dean, Haliburton School of Art + Design) 

Whether you’re thinking about applying to HSAD, cheering on someone you know, or just curious about the creative energy on campus, we invite you to come by and see it for yourself. 

For more information, reach out to us at askus@hsad.ca. 

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