Looking Back at the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit

On November 7, Business & Arts NL was proud to host its biggest event yet, the (Un)Common Threads Creativity & Innovation Summit, at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John's.

Featuring inspiring keynote speakers, artists-in-residence who got the crowd's creative juices flowing, and opportunities to connect with members of the community, it was a day filled with inspiration and great conversation. (We were also thrilled to have Elijah Martel on hand, who documented the day via their lively and whimsical drawings.)

Participants were invited take a pin as they entered the room, prompting them to consider what drives their own creativity (a small thing to help kickstart a big conversation).  The pins were such a hit that the bowls were empty by the end of the day.

The summit got off to a rousing start in the garden area with a performance by Ballast Collective, comprised of Nick Coultas-Clarke, Ian Foster and Andrya Duff. The trio, who combines conventional instruments with cutting-edge midi sensor technology, allowing each member to create and manipulate sound in real-time, gave the audience a front-row peek into their creative process. The performance incorporated dance, a synthesizer and electronic drums, providing an electrifying kick-start to the day.

"Ballast Collective's performance at (Un)Common Threads was a unique and rewarding experience," Ian says.

"As a group that thrives on interactivity and the intersection of art and technology, I feel like (Un)Common Threads was the perfect venue to explore new work and meet those who share a similar interest in that kind of journey."

Back in the ballroom, John Devereaux, Creative Director of Perfect Day Canada, shared stories and lessons learned throughout his career in Nova Scotia, Amsterdam, London UK, and St. John’s.

He spoke to the power of taking risks and the importance of authenticity and being true to yourself, and the value it brings to the client when you allow your creativity to flow freely ("don't be the pencil"). John also shared some insights into the difference between art and design (e.g., while design responds to constraints, art doesn’t need to) and reminded the audience that the best results don't come about when you're cramming for a deadline, but that "good things take time."

After a coffee break, the second group of artists-in-residence were introduced to the crowd. Daniel Rumbolt and Amber-Lynn Thorne (friends and multidisciplinary artists, both from rural Newfoundland), presented “(Net)working,” which invited summit attendees to dive in and become artistic collaborators, embracing their own creativity.

Participants were invited to paint ceramic capelin (crafted by Amber-Lynn), capturing the beauty and brilliance of Newfoundland waters, which were then attached to a fishing net hand-woven by Daniel using traditional methods. The net grew larger throughout the day as more and more people took part, emphasizing themes of community and coastal traditions.

Next up, award-winning director Jillian Keiley (Founding Artistic Director of Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, who has also worked with the National Arts Centre, National Theatre School and Stratford Festival, among others) took the audience on an inspiring journey of discovery that included everything from the size of the universe to what the Greek gods thought about creativity and genius, and everything in between.

Jillian asked the audience to look inward as she encouraged them to seek out experiences that provide a sense of awe. She also provided guidance on how to encourage ideas in their fullest form by saying “yes” to all of them, and shared her thoughts on receiving the gift of an idea without letting your ego get in the way. Jillian also noted that while criticism and feedback are essential, the timing of them are also important and help determine whether or not they’re put to use.

After enjoying a lunch break, participants got their feet wet with more creative exploration as artist-in-residence JL González presented his installation "Beyond the Glass," an interactive artwork that invited attendees to create their own animated sea creatures, using iPads, and contribute to the work.

"My residency at (Un)Common Threads was truly special — it inspired me to blend animation, drawing and installation in ways I had never attempted before. It gave me the confidence to push boundaries, explore new approaches and challenge myself to grow," JL says.

"The piece finally felt complete — or as though it truly made sense — when participants began adding their contributions. Their involvement brought the work to life, adding a new layer of meaning and making the collaborative creative process the heart of the exhibition."

Next up, Christine Hennebury, founder of the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl, the President for Storytellers of Canada-Conteurs du Canada, and past president of the St. John’s Storytelling Festival, shared storytelling skills for networking, while Beni Malone of Wonderbolt Circus got participants moving with his juggling workshop in the garden. The crowd was also treated to another performance by Ballast Collective, this time including soundbites from audience members. (Click here and scroll down to learn more about the event's pop-up artists and performances.)

Sketch of Christine Hennebury by Elijah Martel.

The event's final speaker was none other than Duncan Wardle, Founder of ID8 and former Head of Innovation and Creativity at The Walt Disney Company. His energetic keynote "Embedding a Culture of Innovation & Creativity Into Everyone's DNA" had attendees on their feet, experimenting and engaging with each other and brainstorming, working through wild scenarios, and practicing techniques to enhance creativity.

Like Jillian Keiley, he also underscored the importance of being open to new ideas and saying "yes" rather than "no," and the part of play and playfulness (something we often lose as we age) in adopting a creative attitude and mindset. He also emphasized to the crowd the importance of intuition and trusting yourself.

Just like the day began, the event wrapped with a lively and energetic performance in the garden, this time by the NL Latin Band (the first Latin American band based in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the first band to arrange NL traditional folk music in Latin American style), who got the crowd on their feet.

If the post-event testimonials are any indication, the summit was a smashing success, with participants hailing it as "a highlight of my year" and a "really inspiring day." One participant shared "Seeing the design community was a big deal for me...Although I enjoyed the whole day, just watching the crowd gather was emotionally overwhelming. Even writing about it now is uplifting."

"The event was a powerful reminder of how creativity bridges gaps between industries. It showcased the immense value of combining artistic innovation with business strategies to solve problems in fresh, impactful ways," says Ammar Faruqui, noting the live performances and artists-in-residence as a highlight, as well as Jillian Keiley’s presentation, which he described as "incredibly moving and thought-provoking."

"The summit expanded my view of creativity, demonstrating that it is less about natural talent and more about mindset and collaboration," he adds.

"The atmosphere was vibrant and collaborative, with a palpable sense of enthusiasm and openness. It was a space where ideas flowed freely, and every attendee seemed engaged and eager to connect. I have never been to an event this engaging and vibrant."