The Sustainability Thinking Exhibition 2026 brings together numerous environmental artists across OISE, U of T

This past March, U of T’s School of the Environment (the School) collaborated with the OISE Library, OISE’s Sustainability and Climate Action Network (SCAN), to host the third annual Sustainability Thinking Exhibition.

The community event serves as a hub for addressing sustainability and global environmental issues through diverse multimedia approaches from students across U of T’s three campuses. Centered on the theme “Navigating the Planetary Crisis Through the Arts: The University and the Polycrisis,” the exhibition highlighted a variety of environmental issues, through artistic expression. The event was organized by Michela McMurrich, the School’s event coordinator, building off of an original concept developed by Emma Bernardo, the School’s graduate administrator.

How the exhibition came to be

Bernardo was inspired to launch the exhibition in 2024 while pursuing a Master’s in Museum Studies at U of T’s Faculty of Information and a Collaborative Specialization in Environmental Studies at the School of Environment, where she developed an appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability.

Bernardo’s work is guided by a broader ethos of questioning what art can be.

In 2024, Bernardo decided to launch the exhibition as a pop-up event for a day at the Earth Sciences Centre - Earth Hub. Alongside the exhibition, she created a catalogue outlining the exhibition’s didactic text, different themes and artist statements around sustainability and communication, sustainability and identity, and sustainability and community.

From a pop-up to tri-campus initiative

The following year, the exhibition expanded into a tri-campus University of Toronto initiative, inviting students from all three campuses to participate in a shared exhibition and submit their first external collaboration.

“The students were really keen on getting involved in the artwork and having the opportunity outside of academics to engage with environmentalism,” says Bernardo.

From novice to experienced artists, students are encouraged to submit their work. This year, entries were reviewed by a committee of School faculty and staff alongside Dr. Hilary Inwood and Jenaya Webb, who provided feedback and guidance on how each piece might be further developed.

“We’ve really been able to use the exhibition as a way to foster these connections between different units at the university that are doing environmental work” says Bernardo.

McMurrich sees the Sustainability Thinking Exhibition as an important outlet for students to express eco-anxiety and environmental concerns, while also fostering a sense of community within the institution. Both Bernardo and McMurrich admire the initiative students show in presenting their work.

The 2026 exhibition

This year the exhibition was held from March 3 to March 7 at the OISE library – a collaboration partnership between the School, SCAN, and OISE Library. The exhibition was developed and delivered through the joint efforts of both teams, and recognizing this collaboration would help better reflect the project's goals, mission, and scale.

Dr. Hilary Inwood helped bring the event to life this year by facilitating and supporting the initiative in several ways, including inviting Master of Teaching students to participate in the exhibition. The organizers also acknowledged Jenaya Webb, director of the OISE Library, for going above and beyond in creatively activating the space.

“I really enjoyed collaborating with the OISE library, SCAN, the artists, and everyone across the [School of The Environment]; making something meaningful that supports students,” says McMurrich.

Students from diverse academic backgrounds came together energized by a shared passion to foster connection and inspiring action among attendees.

Among the featured artists were Shiela Budy, Master's student in Development Psychology and Education at OISE, Amy Huang, Master's student in the Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering Program at UTSG and Lilianna Xing and undergraduate, double majoring in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UTSG share their insights.

These three artists, among 45 featured, shared their motivation and intentions behind their works on display.

Featured student works

Budy’s work titled, “Ang Bansang Pinoy (The Country of the Philippines)” explores her passion of the intersection of political justice and environmental vulnerability in the Philippines particularly in the aftermath of typhoons that have left many provinces devastated and millions of people stranded.

“[It demonstrates] just how corrupt the government was because they’ve been taking all of the funds allocated for flight control projects and pocketing it for themselves.”

She wanted to convey a haunting feeling with the imagery of hands reaching out; questioning who is reaching out, and whether one is compelled to help or driven to look away.

“[U of T encourages] our own responsibility with [sustainability] or how to use our voice for strong justice.”

Huang’s acrylic landscape painting, “Afternoon at Trillium Park,” was inspired by a spontaneous visit with friends during the CNE air show. Amid the crowds that were gathered to watch the air show, she was reflected on the harmonious beauty between nature and people, as well as how humans can disrupt environmental spaces.

Through her featured piece, she hopes to encourage others to explore Trillium Park, engage in sustainable activities, and discover the nature around them.

“Even though I am taking small steps, [they] will eventually accumulate into changes and as an individual this is what keeps me motivated” says Huang.

Xing, part of Adjunct Professor Brad Bass’ workshop at the School of the Environment, co-created a transitional video of 3D modelling on a University of Toronto Mississauga building, using urban environment software with students Lilly Haugton and Allin Alya Yasmin.

Last summer, the work began as ink drawings over the original architectural prints of the building, then it evolved into a phase in which the structure appears to progress and “melt,” revealing nature’s presence – such as flowers growing throughout.

“It reflects the role technology could play in confronting the environmental crisis, the extent to which technology has to overwrite the natural spaces we are living in…

To learn more about the 2026 exhibition program, and see all artist works, visit here.