omar ‘oms’ hopkinson

Omar Hopkinson (b. 1977) is an award winning contemporary artist who currently specializes in large scale painting with a concentration on abstract and abstract impressionism. Also known as ‘Oms’ (p. Oh-mz), his artwork focuses on self reflection and incorporates stories of the black experience in a way that is not as obvious when first observed. Hopkinson is a widely celebrated artist who was classically trained at the prestigious Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U), and has worked with various brands, community hubs and organizations to bring his vivid and captivating works to all corners and across borders. Omar believes that his mission is to leverage his creative career as a conduit to amplify the voices of the unheard. He also is adamant that not all black artists should be boxed into what society considers ‘black art’, and chooses to express the diversity of lived experiences, while narrating his reflections of the inner self through storied abstraction.

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

OMAR HOPKINSON (OMS)

PROFILE

A tenured artist and creator with over 25+ years in the fine art space with a strong background in live performance painting. Experienced organizational and brand collaborator with multiple activations in the product and apparel space. 15+ years as a facilitator in corporate and creative spaces, focusing on creativity, leadership and youth development. An active community contributor residing on and collaborating with multiple artistic, municipality, and community boards. A collaborative and contributing large-scale artist in the commercial and residential design space, providing bespoke hi-art paintings and installation in new and existing establishments. An active exhibiting artist with a portfolio of work upon request.

EDUCATION

University of Toronto, Toronto — Certificate

Principles of Project Management - 2016

University of Toronto, Toronto — Certificate

Intro to Business Analysis - 2015

Seneca College — Adult Educator Certificate(s)

Employee Training - Process Design - 2007
Employee Training - Methods of Instruction - 2003
Employee Training - Intro to Adult Learning - 2007

Toronto School of Art — Fine Arts Diploma

Drawing and Painting Stream - 1998-1999

Ontario College of Art and Design — Fine Arts Diploma

Foundation Studies - 1996-1998
Drawing and Painting Stream

EXHIBITIONS

2024 - Displaying Artist - In Bloom Gala-Toronto Arts Foundation Mayor’s Evening for the Arts), The Carlu, Toronto, ON
2024 - Solo Exhibition - Resonance: The Gravitropic and Phototropic Experience, The Adaptavist Group, Toronto, ON
2023 - Group Exhibition - Marty Awards Winner Exhibit, Erin Mills Town Centre, Mississauga, ON
2023 - Group Exhibition - Black History Month Art Exhibition, Holcim Gallery, Milton, ON
2022 - Group Exhibition - Exclusively Inclusive, Holcim Gallery, Milton, ON
2021 - Group Exhibition - MADE/UP, Pop-Up Gallery, Toronto, ON
2019 - Solo Exhibition - Center Perspective, Holcim Gallery, Milton, ON
2019 - Two-Person Exhibition - Footlocker Women’s Sneaker Talk, One Gallery, Toronto, ON (w/ Andy Old)
2019 - Two-Person Exhibition - Pursuit (TEDx), Garden Banquet & Convention Centre, Brampton, ON (w/ Jasmin Pannu)
2019 - MARTK’D Feature Artist (Sponsored by Swatch) - Artist Project, Better Living Center Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON
2017 - Solo Exhibition - “Icons Before Us”, Cut the Cheese Cafe, Toronto, ON
2016 - Group Exhibition - Canada 150 Exhibit, Canadian Museum of History, Ottawa, ON
2015 - Solo Exhibition - “Dance and Colour”, Flava Factory Studios, Ottawa, ON
2015 - Group Exhibition - 1 Sole Exhibit (PanAm Games), Hart House University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2015 - Group Exhibition - TD “Now and Again Series”, Fritzi Gallery, Ottawa ON
2013 - Group Exhibition - MARTK’D Sneaker Design, Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, ON
2013 - Solo Exhibition - “Urban Jail”, Mugshots Lounge, Ottawa, ON
2012 - Group Exhibition - Visionary Tattoo and Art Festival, Asbury Park, NJ
2012 - Group Exhibition - Art Jam 2, Now Lounge, Toronto, ON
2011 - Two-Person Exhibition - Progression 2, Art Square Gallery, Toronto, ON (w/ Norman Smith)
2011 - Group Exhibition - Art Jam 1, Hulu Girl Lounge, Toronto, ON

COMMISSIONS

2022 - Downtown Milton BIA, Downtown Milton Mural, 40ft x 30ft (Spice O’ Life Parkette), Milton ON
2022 - Downtown Milton BIA, Downtown Milton Mural, 40ft x 30ft (Spice O’ Life Parkette), Milton ON
2022 - Town of Acton BIA, Picnic Table (The Mexican Way Restaurant), Acton, ON
2022 - School Board Art Commission, My Art Book of Friendship (CCEL Grant), mural, 7ft x 11ft, Southfield Village Public School (PDSB), Caledon, ON
2022 - School Board Art Commission, Students’ Voices in Arts, mural, 7ft x 11ft and 14ft x 3 ft, Fletcher’s Creek Sr. Public School Public School (PDSB), Brampton, ON
2022 - School Board Art Commission, Empowered Voices, mural, 7ft x 11ft, Camilla Road Public School (PDSB), Mississauga, ON
2022 - ArtworxTO, Year of Public Art (Scarborough Slang), Digital mural installation, 20ft x 30ft, Scarborough Town Centre, Scarborough, ON
2022 - School Board Art Commission, Steeped in the Arts, mural, 7ft x 11ft, Churchville Public School (PDSB), Brampton, ON
2020 - Corporate Art Commission, Elevate Logo, mural, 11 x 11ft, Elevate Sports Complex, Milton, ON
2020 - Corporate Art Commission, Elevate Gold Logo, mural, 8 x 8ft, Elevate Sports Complex, Milton, ON
2020 - Corporate Art Commission, For the 6IX Campaign, T-shirt Design, Footlocker, Toronto, ON
2019 - Corporate Art Commision, Unignorable Custom Shoe Campaign, 30 pairs of shoes, United Way x Pantone, Toronto, ON
2019 - Not for Profit Commission, Ontario Culture Days Backdrop, 8 x 8ft Painted Vinyl installation, Arts Milton, Milton, ON
2018 - Not for Profit Commission, Ontario Culture Days Backdrop, 8 x 8ft Live Wall installation, Arts Milton, Milton, ON
2017 - Business Art Commission, Restaurant Grand Opening, 9 x 12ft mural, Sutherland Restaurant, Ottawa ON

COLLECTIONS

LivWell Developments, Niagara, ON
Daniels Corporation, Toronto, ON
City of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON
Department of Heritage Canada, Ottawa, ON
Jamieson Wellness, Toronto, ON
Adaptavist Inc., Toronto, ON
Arts Milton, Milton, ON
Top Tyr Entertainment, Ottawa, ON
Zulu Nation, New York, NY
DNA Live, Ottawa, ON
Monster Energy, Canada
Sutherland Collection, Ottawa, ON

PUBLISHED WORKS and WRITINGS

Canadian Theater Review VOL 198 - Futures and Freedoms (Article and Cover Page)

MEDIA AND PUBLICITY BIBLIOGRAPHY

Let’s Talk Milton, Culture Plan Culture Convo, Milton, ON
In Halton, Article, New Downtown Milton Mural, Milton, ON
Mural Routes, Article, How Much?! Demystifying Pricing for Murals, Toronto, ON
City of Toronto, Blog, ArtworxTO, Toronto, ON
Art Pays Me, Podcast, Interview, Omar Hopkinson (Oms), Halifax, NS
Downtown Milton, Blog, Work Underway on Downtown Mural, Downtown Milton, Milton, ON
Brandon Gonez Show, News you can use: Toronto Artist Works With Students to Create Murals the Celebrate Culture in Toronto Schools”, Brandon Gonez Show, Toronto, ON, April 3, 2023
Elly Laberge, “Event Review: House of PainT Launches is 1oth edition in style with Hypnotic Brass Ensemble”, Eventful Capital, Eventful Capital, Ottawa, ON 2013
Allan Day, All in a Day, CBC Radio High Top Sneakers turned Canvas Art, Ottawa, ON, Sept 12, 2013
Cortnie Joseph, “The Earth Edition”, Island Signatures Magazine, Magazine 9, Barbados, WI, 2019
Editor Milton Villager, “Black History Month in Milton”, Milton Villager, Black History Month in Milton, Milton, ON, March 8, 2021
Sanah Choi, “Milton neighbours explore artistic side after becoming ‘the image of what friendship is’ during the pandemic”, CBC News, Toronto, ON, October 1 2020

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS

June 2024 - Artist Facilitator, Sheridan Park Public School, Peel District School Board, Mississauga, ON
March 2024 - Artist in Residence, Maple Public School, York Region District School Board, Maple, ON
December 2023 - Special Program Advisory Committee (SPAC) - Mural Roues, Toronto, ON
September 2022 - Artist in Residence, Fletcher's Creek Public School, Peels District School Board, Brampton, ON
June 2022 - Artist Facilitator, Southfield Public School, Peel District School Board, Brampton, ON
May 2022 - Artist Facilitator, Camilla Road Public School, Peel District School Board, Mississauga, ON
March 2022 - Artist Facilitator, Churchville Public School, Peel District School Board, Brampton, ON
June 2020 - Artist Facilitator, Town of Milton, Milton, ON
April s2018 - Teaching Assistant and Artist Facilitator,, Market Lane Junior and Senior Public School, Toronto, ON

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

2023 - Present - Strategic Experience and Creative Strategist, Noir Experience. Toronto, ON
2022 - Present - Vice President, Mural Routes Board of Directors, Toronto, ON
2019 - 2023 - Board Member, Arts Miton Board of Directors, Milton, ON
2020 - 2021 - Lead Working Group Member/Artist, Town of Milton Culture Plan Working Group, Milton, ON

AWARDS and HONORABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2023 - Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) - MARTY Award - Outstanding Visual Art - Public Art
2023 - City of Mississauga Civic Award of Recognition - Contribution to the Arts
2022 - Councillor Parm Gill - Community Contribution - iHEART Main Street, Milton Mural