NSCAD moves SEEDS to waterfront

The school's student art trove will relocate to the Port campus

SEEDS showcases NSCAD University’s student artwork. (Photo: Jessica Spoto)

SEEDS is a space for NSCAD University students to display and sell their art. It's an opportunity to catch the public eye. With an upcoming move to the harbour, increased exposure is expected.

The student union at NSCAD worked with the university to open and fund a permanent space for students to sell their artwork.

Before becoming SEEDS, the downtown building served many purposes. It was a bar, lounge, studio and storage space. Students used the space to sell their art in the summer, but they were forced to tear down every September. SEEDS, a chic art domain, opened as a year-round commercial venue in 2007.

The gallery is a visual trove of artwork. Prints, paintings, sculptures and textiles are featured daily and individual expression shines in felt cupcakes, mini cards, and trendy jewellery pieces. Sewn and silkscreened clothing, accessories and tea towels reveal student talent.

Artwork is accepted on a consignment basis. Students and alumni meet with Jen Simaitis, the manager, to ensure their work is ready for showing. Pricing is based on materials used, time contributed and the quality and quantity of the work. Students receive 60 per cent of the retail price, with the rest going to run SEEDS.

SEEDS hosts a spotlight gallery showcasing a particular artist every two weeks. The artist's full body of work is displayed in the gallery's best real estate: street level, window view. Alumnus Kyle Monchuk was an October spotlight artist. His work involved sculpting new meaning in common objects.

"SEEDS is a fundamental resource for NSCAD students to engage the arts community," says Monchuk. "The commercial gallery space teaches emerging artists how to sell work and interact with clients in a professional manner that aids in the development of their careers."

During show-and-sales events, one department takes over the gallery for two weeks. The online SEEDS calendar promotes the jewelry show in November, textile and fashion in December, prints in March and paintings in April.

Duncan Ferguson, a painter and NSCAD student, is selling his work out of SEEDS. In one show-and-sale event, Ferguson sold four paintings.

"The practical experience I've gotten from SEEDS has helped me build valuable relationships and a lot of confidence in the exhibition of my work," he says.

Simaitis believes the best part of her job is telling students their artwork has sold.

"It's usually the first time they've shown to the public and knowing that someone loves your work enough that they want to live with it is kind of inspiring."

Details are sparse, but Simaitis is excited for the gallery's move from Hollis Street to the tourist-filled harbour front. The new gallery will be joining NSCAD's port campus near the new Farmer's Market, providing the opportunity to boost its presence.

"The most important thing about SEEDS is making art accessible to the public. We don't want to be scary, we want people to come in and see what NSCAD students are doing."

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