USask kinesiology student uses art to strengthen community connections

Today, that curiosity about human performance has evolved into a broader commitment to community well-being through his student-led initiative, Art4Others.

As a high school athlete, Ugwu admits academics sometimes took a back seat to sport. But his interest with physical activity and performance gradually led him to wonder how the body functions during exercise and how athletes can improve physically.

“I spent a lot of those years infatuated with sports and physical activity,” he said. “Over time, questions about how the body worked during physical exertion and how I could improve at my sport from a physical performance standpoint really sparked my interest.”

Those questions ultimately brought him to study kinesiology at USask, where he could explore the science behind movement, performance, and health.

While studying in Saskatoon, Ugwu also began thinking about the importance of connection within the community. Together with co-founder Angelena Wu, they launched Art4Others, an initiative focused on bringing people together through art and creative expression.

“I founded Art4Others as a gateway to spread love and connections throughout the diverse communities of Saskatoon,” Ugwu said. “Our goal was to create something that could bring people of all age groups together, whether young or old.”

Art4Others organizes events and programs that encourage creativity while creating opportunities for people to build relationships and support one another. The initiative aims to provide a welcoming space where individuals can connect and find moments of joy and fellowship.

“At Art4Others, our mission is to harness the impact of art and creative expression to connect and include diverse communities of all ages across Saskatchewan, fostering unity and shared understandings,” Ugwu said. 

Ugwu believes art plays a unique role in bridging cultural differences. In a multicultural city like Saskatoon, where many cultures are represented, including his own Igbo heritage, creative expression provides a universal way for people to communicate and connect. 

“What remains the same between each culture is an appreciation for beauty through artistic forms of music, drama, illustration, and more,” he said. “It’s a way for people to express themselves while remaining universal in its understanding.”

His kinesiology education has also shaped the way he approaches community programming. Ugwu says the discipline emphasizes the interconnected nature of physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.

“In kinesiology, you learn about the spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical parts of an individual,” he said. “Those sectors play a role not only in athletic performance, but also in maintaining good health and well-being.”

Since launching the initiative, several milestones have stood out to Ugwu. In 2024, Art4Others raised more than $700 during a Canada Day fundraiser. The funds were used to support the organization’s programming and to purchase female hygiene products for the Young Women’s Christian Association in Saskatoon.

Another highlight has been establishing a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities at Royal University Hospital, where the organization hosts weekly arts and crafts activities for children staying there.

“Seeing kids arrive tired or sometimes in a melancholy state and then leave with the biggest smiles on their faces has been one of the most heart-warming experiences of my life,” Ugwu said.

Running a community initiative while pursuing a university degree has not been without challenges. Early on, Ugwu said he sometimes found it difficult to gain support from organizations that doubted the ability of a young student-led team.

“Some people assumed we were too young or inexperienced to execute our vision,” he said. “But we kept pushing forward and learning along the way.”

Balancing academics, research, leadership responsibilities, and extracurricular involvement, including the Black Student Mentorship Program at USask, continues to be a work in progress.

“To be completely honest, it is still something I struggle with,” Ugwu said. “But I’ve improved my time management and I’m continuing to grow.”

Looking ahead, Ugwu hopes Art4Others will continue expanding its reach across the community and beyond.

“I hope Art4Others becomes a well-known place of refuge for kids and adults in this city,” he said. “An organization that stays audience-centred and focused on serving the community.”

He also hopes to eventually extend the initiative to rural communities outside Saskatoon, recognizing that the need for connection and creative outlets exists beyond city limits.

For other students hoping to start meaningful initiatives of their own, Ugwu encourages them to focus on the impact even small efforts can have.

“Any little impact you make on an individual can go a long way,” he said, referencing a quote from counsellor De’leon Martin, “Helping one person might not change the world, but it could change the world for one person.”