As a part of Centennial College's 50th anniversary celebrations, the College commissioned an outdoor mural for our Progress Campus through an open call for online submissions by students and alumni. Gavin MacDougall, a Toronto artist who graduated from Centennial's Fine Arts Studio program in 2013, created the winning piece, entitled "Dare to Achieve."
Speaking to the importance of education, community, cooperation and diversity, Gavin's installation expresses the notion of how individual obstacles and limitations are overcome when people unite. It also tells the story of how we build upon foundations established before us and, with guidance, instruction and determination, move forward.
During the unveiling ceremony, Gavin also expressed the piece uses the visual medium to show where we've been, where we are, where we're going, and, crucially, our commitment to diversity and inclusion, two hallmarks of the Centennial College community. He was awarded $10,000, and his mural was digitally processed, fabricated and installed on the side of our Residence and Culinary Arts Centre in early Spring.
Gavin was one of three finalists chosen from numerous submissions. The finalists were then challenged to come up with maquettes of their proposals, along with artistic statements about what they were planning to make. In August, the finalists presented their proposals, with Gavin's creation coming out on top.
Dare to Achieve
Gavin MacDougall, 2017
gavinmacdougall.com