Ava Simard
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Ava Simard is a painter based in Vancouver, B.C., on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She received her BFA at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2025. Her paintings explore themes of queerness, intimacy, and cheekiness through figurative imagery. References to sexuality and queerness appear both through subtle and explicit cues, reflecting experiences of visibility and ambiguity. Her work remains rooted in observation rather than narrative explanation. Inspired by photographs taken of people and moments in her life, she works by isolating details and translating photographic ways of seeing into paint, allowing for small gestures and fragments to carry the image.


CURRICULUM VITAE




Education 2025 - Bachelor of Fine Arts, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver, B.C. 

Awards


2024 - Creative Launchpad Scholarship Award 

2023 - Creative Launchpad Scholarship Award 

2023 - IATSE Local 891 Scholarship 

2022 - Creative Launchpad Scholarship Award 

2021 - Creative Launchpad Scholarship Award 

2020 - Creative Launchpad Scholarship Award 

2016 - Arts Umbrella Scholarship Award 

Residencies 2026 - Thirdspace Artist Residency, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario 

Group Exhibitions 2026 - Staging the Unseen, OCAD University Graduate Gallery, Toronto, Ontario

2026 - The Toy Store, 626 Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. 

2026 - The Tiny Show, 626 Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. 

2025 - The Show, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Michael O’Brien Exhibition Commons, Vancouver, B.C. 

2025 - Inward, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Michael O’Brien Exhibition Commons, Vancouver, B.C. 

2024 - Brain Itch, The Neighbourhood Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. 

2023 - Pattern and Texture, The Neighbourhood Gallery, Vancouver, B.C. 

2023 - Pancakes and Booze, Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, B.C. 

2022 - Pancakes and Booze, Fortune Sound Club, Vancouver, B.C. 

2018 - Definitely Dali, Chali Rosso Gallery, live sketching, Vancouver, B.C. 

2017 - Definitely Dali, Dance of the Time, Chali Rosso Gallery, live sketching, Vancouver, B.C. 

2017 - Splash Gala, The Playhouse Theatre, live sketching, Vancouver, B.C.

2017 - Utility Box Art Wrap, City of Vancouver, W 10th Ave & Sasamat St, Vancouver, B.C.

2016 - Arts 4 Life, Port Moody Arts Centre, Port Moody, B.C.

2015 - Arts 4 Life, Port Moody Arts Centre, Port Moody, B.C.

2015 - LAB Arts, Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, Vancouver, B.C.

2015 - Simon’s Department Store/Art’s Umbrella Exhibition, West Vancouver, B.C.

2014 - Arts 4 Life, Port Moody Arts Centre, Port Moody, B.C.

2013 - Blake’s/Arts Umbrella Student Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C.

2012 - Blake’s/Arts Umbrella Student Exhibition, Vancouver, B.C. 

Arts Education 2026 - Present Assistant Teacher, Arts Umbrella, Vancouver, B.C. 
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