International poster competition

From March 2013 to March 2014, Canada chaired the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). In conjunction with its chairmanship Canadian students in Graphics, or Art and Design, were invited to compete with students from around the world in an international poster competition on the theme "Keeping the Memory Alive – Journeys through the Holocaust."

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About the competition

The competition, a joint initiative of IHRA and Yad Vashem in Israel, aimed to bring substance, meaning and educational value to Holocaust commemoration. As part of the competition, Holocaust education seminars were held at five colleges and universities across Canada, as well as online, with support from local Holocaust Centres.

In total, 46 entries were received from across the country. Dr. Carson Philips (Head of Education at the Sarah and Chaim Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre in Toronto) and Mr. Charles Pachter (internationally renowned contemporary Canadian artist) selected seven Canadian finalists to advance to the international judging committee.

In total, 500 students from around the world participated in the competition. Out of the seven Canadian finalists, two finished in first and second place, and two others were also selected as top-16 international finalists. See the winners and finalists below.

On January 27, 2014, the top 16 posters were displayed at over 90 locations around the world to mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The competition is no longer available, however, you can read about other Holocaust commemoration activities created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

First place winner

Caitlin McGinn of Emily Carr University of Art and Design was selected as a top seven Canadian finalist, and the first place winner for the overall international competition.

  • First place winner – Caitlin McGinn's poster
    Caitlin McGinn's poster

Second place winner

Carling Hind of Emily Carr University of Art and Design was selected as a top seven Canadian finalist, and the second place winner for the overall international competition.

  • Second place winner – Carling Hind's poster
    Carling Hind's poster

Top 16 international finalists

Derek Michael Wasylyshen of the University of Manitoba and Joakim Sundal of Emily Carr University of Art and Design were selected as one of the top seven Canadian finalists and also placed within the top 16 international finalists.

  • International finalist – Derek Michael Wasylyshen's poster
    Derek Michael Wasylyshen's poster
  • International finalist – Joakim Sundal's poster
    Joakim Sundal's poster

Canadian finalists

Matthew Rajfur of University of Manitoba, Neda Uddin of University of Manitoba, and Shiyao Yu of Emily Carr University of Art and Design were selected as one of the top seven Canadian finalists.

  • Canadian finalist – Matthew Rajfur's poster
    Matthew Rajfur's poster
  • Canadian finalist – Neda Uddin's poster
    Neda Uddin's poster
  • Canadian finalist – Shiyao Yu's poster
    Shiyao Yu's poster

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