Almost two years ago, I was sitting in my bedroom, staring at my laptop as the cursor blinked on an empty page. I was not struggling for ideas, but I felt that my art could do more than exist on a screen. I wanted it to speak, to connect, and to make a difference in the world around me. That moment pushed me to search for a program that would teach me not only how to refine my craft but also how to use it in service of the community. That search led me to one of the most important decisions of my life.
My name is Benjamin Siemon Gorman, and I am a master’s student in the Applied Literary Arts program at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Grenfell Campus.
This program has shown me that art is not just a personal pursuit. It is a tool for community development, cultural expression, and social engagement. Through courses like Literary Production and Arts Management, I have learned how creativity can be organized, structured, and mobilized to create real impact.
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned so far has come from hands-on community projects. I had the opportunity to be part of a community arts initiative called CB Nuit, an annual event that brings the people of Corner Brook together on the streets to celebrate art and illumination. Being part of CB Nuit exposed me to the power of collaborative creativity and showed me how art can bring a community together in meaningful ways.
For my project, I collaborated with Blessing Adedokun, a PhD student, to create a community fashion show. This project took us into senior care homes, where we worked with residents to design and create fashion pieces. We also engaged with a Grade 5 and 6 class, whose students helped model the final designs. This experience gave me a different perspective on how art can create intergenerational connections, inspire confidence, and build a sense of belonging. It showed me that art does not only exist in studios or galleries. It lives in classrooms, care homes, shared spaces, and in the relationships formed through the creative process.
Another major project that has shaped my understanding of art and community is my ongoing creative research project titled Rewriting Home. I aim to create and analyze six original spoken word poems that explore themes central to the migrant experience: identity, belonging, and memory. These poems draw on personal and collective narratives to represent the emotional landscapes that many migrants navigate but often find difficult to articulate. This project won the best “Picturing Research at Grenfell Campus” award during Research Week.
Through these projects, the courses I have taken, and the conversations I have shared with my colleagues, I have come to realize that art becomes most powerful when it steps beyond self-expression and enters the realm of shared experience. I am grateful to Memorial University for this program and the opportunity to grow as an Artist.