On May 27, 2026, Alberta University of the Arts celebrated its 2026 Convocation, recognizing 185 graduates during a historic milestone year as AUArts marks 100 years as a global leader in art, craft and design education.
This year’s ceremony celebrated the contributions of AUArts’ latest graduates to a century of creativity, courage and community, and looked ahead to the next century of impact.
President and CEO Dr. Janis Goldie reflected on the significance of graduating during AUArts’ centennial year and encouraged graduates to recognize the impact of their creative practices beyond the University.
“You are graduating at a very special time. Each of you has the distinct honour of saying you graduated in AUArts’ 100th year as a post-secondary institution.
- Dr. Janis Goldie
“Wherever you go next, you each have enormous capacity to contribute to your community and to the world,” said Goldie. “And the world certainly needs you now.”
The 185 graduates of the Class of 2026 were celebrated during the Convocation ceremony, presided over by Adrian Stimson, Board Chair of the AUArts Board of Governors. Alongside the conferring of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Design and Master of Fine Arts degrees, the ceremony also recognized outstanding student award recipients.
This included two recipients of the Governor General’s Academic Medal — Monika Urbaniak and Tiffany Thomson — as well as recipients of the Board of Governors Graduating Student Awards: Jesi Yager, Eryka Bruder, Sarah Ansell, Nicole Ostojic, Kiki Minchin, Ho Fung Shek, Stephanie Gonzalea Cediel, Dimitri Smith-Kac, Mantis Huynh, Tiffany Thomson, Priya Shukle and Ashrang Mohammadakbar.
Student speaker and outgoing Students’ Association President Tanya Mryglod reflected on the creative journeys shared by the Class of 2026 and encouraged graduates to see Convocation not as an ending, but as part of a larger process of exploration and growth.
“These years are not ending like a book but completing a section on our map. Each of us as individuals have a map that we are building while exploring simultaneously. And now, it’s time to expand our communities, and our map.”
- Tanya Mryglod
A special highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of an Honorary Master of Fine Arts to internationally recognized artist and musician Joni Mitchell.
Mitchell was recognized for her exceptional creative achievement, including a career defined by artistic independence and multidisciplinary pursuits. Long before becoming one of the world’s most celebrated singer-songwriters, Mitchell studied at what was then Alberta College of Art, where she developed her artistic voice as both a visual artist and performer.
Faculty Emeritus Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub encouraged graduates to continue questioning, exploring and shaping the future through their work.
“What sets our graduates apart is that they have learned to be critical thinkers — with the ability to evaluate or decode evidence rather than simply accepting things at face value... Remain curious — your skills as creative makers and critical thinkers will serve you well.”
- Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub
Dr. Salahub is currently researching and writing about the history of AUArts as part of the University’s centennial celebrations.
Convocation celebrations continued on campus with Grad Show, featuring work by graduating students across all majors in the Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Design and Master of Fine Arts in Craft Media. Graduates welcomed supporters and peers to the exhibition opening, which showed off the creative explorations and innovations of AUArts’ newest alumni.
This year’s graduates join a community of more than 14,000 alumni who have studied at AUArts over the last century.
Warm congratulations to the Class of 2026. We are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to the impact you will make in AUArts' next 100 years!
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