Above: Sarah (left), Hannah (centre) and Zoha (right) smile for the camera as they enjoy a sunny summer day in uptown Saint John.
When I say I got lucky to land my first job in Canada as a summer student at L'Arche, I truly mean it. It hasn't just been a job, it has been a masterclass in building belonging, community, and seeing the world a little differently. Every day has offered a lesson, often in the smallest and most unexpected moments.
1. Belonging is not a word.
It's an action. A choice you make every single day until it becomes second nature, something you understand not through language, but through gestures, presence, and consistency. Belonging can look different for everyone, but the destination is always the same: making someone feel that they have a place.
2. Art doesn't have to be perfect to make a difference.
The real joy of creating lies in the process, not just the final piece. Creative Connections taught me that the outcome isn't always what you imagined, and that's often where the magic happens. Sometimes the artwork surprises you. Sometimes the artist surprises you. And sometimes, you surprise yourself.
3. Every hand has a story worth sharing.
No two artists at Creative Connections create in the same way, and that's exactly what makes the studio so special. Kathryn shows her appreciation for the seadogs through her posters. Krista carefully builds cities and buildings. Adrian finds rhythm in intricate patterns. Josh recreates the worlds of his favourite movies through posters. JennDr brings images to life through her collages. Each artist has their own language, their own medium, their own pace. Yet they all share the same space with generosity, curiosity, and appreciation for one another. Watching that unfold every day has been one of the greatest privileges.
4. The beauty of inclusion lives in the smallest moments.
Inclusion isn't always found in grand gestures. More often, it lives in quiet acts of thoughtfulness: slowing your pace so everyone can walk together, asking whether someone would prefer the elevator or the stairs, making room for different ways of communicating, or simply waiting without making anyone feel rushed. Those seemingly ordinary moments are what truly make people feel seen.
5. Creativity builds community.
Before this experience, I thought art was mainly about self-expression. At L'Arche, I discovered that it is also about connection. A painting becomes a conversation. A writing prompt becomes a shared memory. A garden becomes a place where people gather. Creativity isn't just about making something beautiful, it's about making space for people to belong together.
Zoha
Creative Connections Summer Student