The ASSU Gala is a night of celebrating student research and art, while also an opportunity to connect with peers and faculty outside of the classroom

For the past two years, the Arts & Science Student Union (ASSU) has hosted an annual Gala that seeks to bring together both academic research by students and original student art in a lively celebration of the largest college at the university. This year’s Gala will take place at Louis’ pub on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7:30 p.m. 

Anyone can attend, and the proceeds from the Gala’s ticket sales will go to ASSU Scholarships, which are available to any student enrolled in the College of Arts and Science. Last year, the ASSU awarded three scholarships worth $1,000 each.

The Gala features a silent art auction in which students submit original pieces for sale, as well as a research symposium where students present research completed for their classes. 85 per cent of the proceeds from student art pieces will go to the artist, and 15 per cent will go to funding the scholarships. This year, the Gala will also feature a prize of $100 to the best research project, which will be determined by a panel made up of faculty and administrative judges. 

Logan Weatherald, a third-year History major and President of the ASSU, says that the Gala “showcases student work, art and performers, and also helps create networking opportunities [for students].”

The 2026 Gala is a 19+ event. It will include food, a DJ and a student jazz ensemble. Hayley Allen, a second-year English major and Vice-President of Marketing for the ASSU, explains that “We’re adding student performers to the DJ portion to showcase their skills, [and] also to give students a sense of what [other] students are doing within the university besides just academics or studying.”

The Gala also features a raffle with a grand prize gift basket of merchandise from local sponsors. Allen says that “We’ve been reaching out to smaller businesses and sponsors [who have donated] to the gift basket and will advertise their businesses to students … I think it’s important to showcase them as well.” Local sponsors include Outer Limits, Better Brother Brewing Co. and Mars Mini Golf, among others. 

Allen says that the best part of the Gala last year “was getting to hang out with people that I would have never hung out with before. I knew them because of student groups and stuff, but actually meeting them, talking, dancing with them on the dance floor and connecting — it’s honestly just a great time to meet people. Now I talk to people all the time that I met at the Gala … I’d say my favourite part was the DJ dancing portion, because it’s just getting to let loose with everyone that you normally wouldn’t with.”

Tyler Walker, third-year Political Studies major and Vice-President for Academic Affairs for the ASSU, adds that “I enjoyed being able to meet people from different departments within the college, because Arts and Science tends to be quite segregated by department, and so it’s nice to have a reason to meet people from other departments and disciplines.”

Allen adds that “I also really liked talking to people at the research symposium. I know I talked to Tyler for a really long time, and it’s honestly just a great space to learn about what other people are doing … It’s cool to [meet] someone that is interested in doing research and [is] putting themselves out there, [and] they’re also just a student so you can still connect and chat with them … It’s a space where everyone’s just hanging out [and] everyone just wants to chat with everyone.”

When asked about a final message to students before the Gala, Weatherald’s message was simple: “Come to the Gala, submit your art, submit your academic work and dress up.”

Students interested in joining the ASSU are encouraged to attend the group’s weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. More details can be found on their website or on their Instagram page @assuusask. 

Tickets for the 2026 ASSU Gala are $20 for students online, $25 for non-students and an extra $5 at the door. Tickets can be found on the ASSU Instagram page or bought in person at the ASSU office in Arts 218.