This unique learning opportunity brought together students from The University of the Bahamas (UB) and OCAD U to examine the decolonization of art within their respective institutions and countries for two weeks in Nassau, Bahamas. This partnership was designed to examine decolonial practice's complex questions and map these across two distinct national and institutional contexts. Focused on contemporary art practice—research, education, and production—this residency provided a valuable vehicle for faculty and student artists to exchange ideas and develop broader awareness of best practices in art-making within a frame of decolonization.

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With these complexities anchoring the curriculum, OCAD Universities' students and faculty were significantly transformed by meeting with and viewing the art by artists in the Bahamas. The programming worked to expand their understanding of the international conversations happening around notions of art and social change. Likewise, Bahamian student artists and faculty had opportunities to interact with and learn from the Turtle Island context through interactions and teachings from Indigenous artists and educators Elder Liz Ozawamik, Peter Morin and Nadia McLaren.

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This residency facilitated studio exploration through an exchange of materiality, knowledge and research through the studio-making process. This included a range of studio activations, sharing circles, visits to sites of coloniality, artist talks ceremonies, and museum visits. An absolute highlight of the experience for all was the site of the residency which was made possible through a new community partnership between OCAD U and Project I.C.E. (Incubator for Collaborative Expression).

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With the support of its president, artist Antonius Roberts, who acted as a studio mentor for artist collaboration, students met with local community artists and shared space with emerging practitioners. The design of this site also provided an exemplary model of sustainable community practices through its vision of human collectivity, environmental design, solar power, community gardening and STEAM programming and facilities. The course culminated in a community gathering where scholars, artists and arts leaders were invited to a final exhibition showcasing the 'in process' artworks and projects of the participating students.