Tuesday night marked an exciting day for Durham College when the Society of Media, Art & Design (SoMAD), a division of the Student Association that represents all students in the School of Media, Art & Design (MAD), hosted the first annual SoMAD Awards on campus.

MAD students were invited to submit their original work into 18 different categories prior to March 14  including best animated short, 3-D modelling, composited piece, concept art, short film, web design,  advertising, drawing, and more with each category representing a specific skill set within MAD.  

The submissions for each category were then judged by professionals, many of whom attended the event including in person. Close to 150 people were on hand including representatives from CBC, the Discovery Channel, the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Channel 12 Durham, several photographers from the Durham Region and more.  

“The first-ever SoMAD awards, a completely student-organized event, truly reflects the commitment of students from the School of Media, Art & Design to celebrate and recognize the work of their peers,” said Greg Murphy, dean of MAD. “It provided a great opportunity for students to have their work exposed to an audience outside of the classroom and we truly appreciate all of the feedback and support from everyone in attendance.”

Submissions were showcased during the event with certificates of recognition presented to the following successful individuals in each category:

• Best Animated Short – Ryan Gagne-Aaldacchin (first), Frank Porco (second) and Jonathan Phillips (third);
• Best 3D Modeling – Jessica Gibbons (first), Tim Pogson (second) and Joshua Aussem (third);
• Best Composited Piece – Alex Christiani (first), Susan Brown (second) and Jessica Gibbons (third);
• Best Concept Art – Jessica Gibbons (first), Sarah Cairns (second) and Alex Christiani (third);
• Best Short Film – Ferenc Cabarle (first), Zach Zimmerman (second) and Mirjana Djuric (third);
• Best Web Design – Colleen Campbell (first), Marvin Mnaymneh (second) and Ferenc Cabarle (third);
• Best Page Design – Vicki Delaplante (first), Dave Malarenko (second) and Colleen Campbell (third);
• Best Logo Design – Vicki Delaplante (first), Colleen Campbell (second) and Kathleen Hepworth (third);
• Best Advertising – Chris Simon (first), Taylor Hlerjak (second) and Taylor Fowler (third);
• Best Drawing –Alex Christiani (first), Jessica Gibbons (second) and Katherine Olenic (third);
• Best Painting – Alex Christiani (first), Julian Corpuz (second) and Jessica Gibbons (third);
• Best Commercial Photography –Kristine Macpherson (first), Susan Brown (second) and Cody Creamer (third);
• Best photojournalism – Kathleen Hepworth (first), Cody Creamer (second) and Nathan Mackinnon (third);
• Journalism – Best Feature Story – Mirjana Djuric(first), Nathan Mackinnon (second) and Ana Pautassi (third);
• Journalism – Best News Story – Mirjana Djuric (first), Zak Mclachlan (second) and Adam Frauts; and
• Journalism – Best Broadcast Story –Ana Pautassi (first), Nathan Mackinnon (second) and Krystin Edgerton (third).

SoMAD is designed to provide MAD students with a positive community experience and an enriched cultural lifestyle. It works to promote a culture of art at Durham College including providing students with opportunities to further their development, showcase their creativity and build valuable relationships with working professionals. Congratulations to all of the winners!