The AEC in Commercial Photography program is ending after decades of training photographers. The last vernissage is Emerge, featuring the work of the last cohort. It will take place in the Upper Atrium on May 28 at 6:30 PM.

Program Coordinator Laurel Breidon shared this reflection on the impact of the AEC in Commercial Photography:

“The AEC in Commercial Photography has had a remarkable impact over the years, not only on the students who passed through the program; I was one of them, but also on the photographic community in Montreal and beyond. Since its creation, the program has provided access to professional photographic education for students from many different backgrounds and stages of life.”

“It created opportunities for people to reinvent themselves creatively and professionally, while developing both technical excellence and a strong visual voice. Our graduates have gone on to work in commercial studios, fashion, food, advertising, portraiture, media production, and independent practice. Many have built successful businesses of their own, while others continue to shape the industry through teaching, collaboration, and creative work.”

“What I am most proud of is the sense of transformation that happened here. Students often arrived unsure of themselves or uncertain about their creative direction, and over the course of the program they developed confidence, discipline, technical skill, and the ability to communicate ideas visually. The program was never only about cameras or software. It was about learning how to see, how to problem solve, how to collaborate, and how to tell stories through images. I believe its legacy is the community it created, a network of artists, educators, professionals and friends who will continue to support and inspire one another.”

“This final cohort feels especially meaningful. They are the last graduating class of an era, and they carry that knowledge with resilience, creativity, and determination. They have supported one another through challenges, pushed themselves creatively, and produced work that reflects both individuality and growth. There is something very symbolic about this group: they represent both the closing chapter of the AEC program and the continuation of its spirit through the work they will bring into the world. Their graduation exhibition, Emerge, feels like an ending, but it is also very much a beginning.”

“What I would ultimately like people to remember is that programs like this matter deeply. Creative education changes lives. Photography has the power to connect people, preserve stories, challenge perspectives, and document culture. For decades, this program gave students a place to explore that power and to discover their own potential, while developing lasting friendships. While the program itself may be at an end, its influence will continue through every graduate who picks up a camera with purpose, curiosity, and passion.”