Mark Mizgala was born in Montreal in 1963 and graduated from OCAD University, Toronto, where he was awarded a full scholarship for three consecutive years, in 1987. In his graduating year he was the recipient of the prestigious Ontario College of Art Medal. After attending the School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Mizgala began working in Vancouver as an advertising art director and went on to win numerous international awards for creative excellence, including Cannes, the New York One Show, Communication Arts Magazine, and Archive Magazine. His photographs and paintings are held in collections throughout North America and Europe.