News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) –  Certificates and diplomas were awarded today to about 140 graduates of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design at the 2012 convocation ceremony, in the auditorium of Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne, Fredericton.

“I congratulate each graduate on the completion of their program,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Martine Coulombe. “As you move on to your careers, you will look back fondly at the time you spent and the friendships you developed while attending the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design.”

Morgan Brooks, from St Mary's First Nation, was the first graduate to receive a Diploma in Aboriginal Visual Arts, a program launched in July 2010.

Audree Hamelin-St-Amour was the winner of the 2012 Governor General’s Medal, awarded to the student with the highest academic standing. She was one of 51 students honoured at the convocation for receiving scholarships and/or awards. Hamelin-St-Amour won a place in a national exhibition at Lafreniere and Pai Gallery in Ottawa. In February, she was shortlisted for the international Niche Awards in Philidelphia, PA. Her bracelet was selected as one of two finalist pieces from 2,000 applicants for the category of Fine Jewelry.

Spencer Corbett, a graduate of the Fashion Design program, delivered the valedictory speech.

“The time we have spent completing our programs can be described in one word; work,” he said.  “The college inspires you to go farther by helping show your work to the community. It puts us out there and helps us succeed. A stage full of artists is a wonderful thing to see.”

Anne Reynolds, chief of protocol for the provincial government, was honoured as a College Fellow, in recognition of her support of the college. She routinely purchases artistic and craft items from the school to serve as official provincial government gifts to visiting dignitaries.

Convocation also marked the opening of the 2012 Graduate Exhibit which highlights the work of the 46 graduates from the Diplomas in Fine Craft (Ceramics, Jewellery and Metal arts, and Fibre Arts), Photography, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Integrated Media and Aboriginal Visual Arts. The exhibit opened at the University of New Brunswick Art Centre, 9 Bailey Dr., Fredericton, and remains in place until June 21.

The 10 graduates in the Graduate Studies program exhibit their work and launched their careers at Crossed Processed, which opened June 15, at The Gallery at the College of Craft and Design, 457 Queen St. An exhibit of work by students in the one-year Aboriginal Visual Arts and Foundation Visual Arts Certificate programs is on display in the college foyer. Both exhibits run until Sept. 7.