Emily Carr University of Art + Design

The Staff Excellence Awards honour staff members who exhibit the university's values and have demonstrated excellence in their service. The ECU Human Resources team launched the Staff Excellence Awards in 2020 to celebrate individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their colleagues and the university community.

Tom Hudson: The Colour Man Tom Hudson was an influential figure in ECU’s history and a true advocate for equitable and accessible arts education. His work garnered international recognition, and he served as a key resource in the International Society of Education through Art and World Congress of Art Education. He also co-curated Celebration 86, an exhibition for Expo ‘86 featuring artworks by children from over 50 countries.

“I'd like the narrative to shake this culture of greed. It's sort of this very self-preserving culture, and my hope is that it inspires the Canadian spirit, particularly folks who can greatly affect how the community comes to be,” he says, adding, “having those art spaces is really important.” Lawrence traces his inspiration for using film to mobilize change back to his time as a student at Emily Carr, when he first saw The NFB’s Academy Award-winning animated short The Man Who Planted Trees.

“I'd like the narrative to shake this culture of greed. It's sort of this very self-preserving culture, and my hope is that it inspires the Canadian spirit, particularly folks who can greatly affect how the community comes to be,” he says, adding, “having those art spaces is really important.” Lawrence traces his inspiration for using film to mobilize change back to his time as a student at Emily Carr, when he first saw The NFB’s Academy Award-winning animated short The Man Who Planted Trees.

Out in the Norwegian Sea are the islands of Hysvær, a designated world heritage site and nature conservancy. Locals tend to eider ducks by building homes for them lined with dried seaweed, while a small herd of sheep wanders according to the tides. In this remote setting, workshop participants engaged in a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and reflection. Sophie Kleppe and Roni Ohman, the founders of Ulu of Norway, hadn’t done a sealskin tanning workshop in over a decade.

Before the Vancouver Canucks officially skated onto the ice for the first time, an ECU alum helped shape how the city – and Canada – would see the new team. As part of our centennial storytelling, we’re revisiting Joe Borovich’s 1970 “stick in rink” design and the legacy it created. As a lifelong hockey fan, Joe heard that Vancouver would join the NHL as an expansion franchise for the 1970-71 season.

Are you willing to discuss your experience with 'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey’ a little more? Yeah, of course. For instance, Emily Carr University was and has always been an incredible, safe space for learning how to speak about your work, give criticism and explore avenues without anyone telling you what’s ‘right and wrong.’ In fact, abstract thought is encouraged.

Posted on December 10, 2025 Your favourite stories in 2025 showcased powerful collaborations and artists, both emerging and established, working to build a better future. While “never look back” is advice you may have encountered, we find it tremendously exciting to do so around this time every year. It’s also fitting as we find ourselves wrapping up the first few months of ECU’s centennial celebrations, which will continue through the fall of 2026.

Posted on December 05, 2025 Throughout the Fall, we have been showcasing the works of our illustrious alumni who exemplify our values of creativity and innovation across digital and public spaces across Canada. As part of this milestone campaign, their artworks appeared across digital channels and in public spaces from Vancouver to the Philippines and beyond, which brought Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU)’s legacy into everyday spaces.

Posted on December 05, 2025 Timbertown Tales: Chester Gets a Pet! features creations by Beaumont, illustrated by Cheek. Originally posted March 7, 2017. The Alumni Relations Office recently had the pleasure of speaking with alumni Judson Beaumont (85’) and Breanna Cheek (14’) who collaborated on a new book calledTimbertown Tales: Chester Gets a Pet! (published by Mckellar & Martin, Joanna Karaplis is co-author of the book).