Conestoga news

May 10, 2018 11:14 AM

Conestoga student named winner of CICan's Art Showcase

Martha Liliana Prada Rojas, an international student in the Advertising and Marketing Communications diploma program, was named one of five winners of the 2018 Art Showcase hosted by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). Winners will receive a $350 prize and their artwork will be displayed at the organization’s national office at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.

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Martha Liliana Prada Rojas, an international student in the Advertising and Marketing Communications diploma program, was named a winner CICan's 2018 Art Showcase for her black and white photograph titled "Together."

Prada Rojas submitted black and white street photography that she titled “Together.” The image was taken in Mexico City during a concert in the Zócalo, the main square. Before deciding on the image, she narrowed down her selection of photographs with the help and guidance of faculty member Sylive Pusztaszeri. She said her submission was the image that was most emotionally and technically appealing to her.

“I was very happy and thrilled to receive an award for something that I enjoy doing so much,” said Prada Rojas. She began studying photography about eight years ago, started working as a freelance photographer five years ago, and said her interests and subjects have evolved over time.

“As my vision of the world was broadening with the experiences of studying professional photography and working as a freelancer and wedding photographer, I went from the smallest subjects with macro photography to street photography, landscapes and architectural photography,” she explained. “I would say that I find very interesting elements in all of them, but nature photography will always hold a special place in my mind.”

As she studies Advertising and Marketing Communications and works on various creative projects in her program, Prada Rojas said she incorporates her photographs into her coursework - sometimes as a background or as featured images on a brochure.

CICan is the national, voluntary membership organization representing publicly supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics in Canada and internationally.

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Martha Liliana Prada Rojas will receive a $350 for her winning entry.

“Canada’s colleges and institutes host some of the most creative and talented students in the world, and this year’s showcase proves it once again,” said CICan president and CEO, Denise Amyot, in a release announcing the winners. “I am always so impressed to see the extraordinary talent in the different submissions we receive. We are privileged to have an office decorated by these amazing works.”

CICan awarded prizes in five categories: digital illustration and animation; drawing; painting; photography; and sculpture, textile, mixed media and printmaking. More than 100 submissions were received from students across the country and winners were selected by participants at CICan’s annual conference in Victoria.

View the winning submissions on CICan’s website.

The Advertising and Marketing Communications two-year diploma program provides strategic and creative experiential opportunities within the exciting world of advertising. The emphasis in the program is on the integration of creativity and planning by blending projects and assignments throughout the courses. Students learn about advertising principles and advertising sales management and develop advertising concepts from idea to finished product. They are also introduced to the principles of public relations, media planning, web design, event planning and entrepreneurship. 

Visit the program page for more information.