Abigail Epstein – Layout Editor

Since her last spin with The Campus in February, Gia Clarke has been pursuing her project “WORLLLD2” with new focus and direction. Clarke now appeals to community artists to realize the multi-media presentation, guided by a commitment to artistic activism.

“WORLLLD2” names a collection of songs written by Clarke as a chronicle of her life-long engagement with music, directed by a strong sense of purpose. “Generativity,” as she described it, lies at the heart of this, “how young people are inspired to make a difference for future generations.” While the seeds of “WORLLLD2” have been germinating since Clarke was nine, a refreshed conception of the project took root at the 2023 Leadership Retreat, as participants explored the idea of an origin story. “I never thought about leaving a legacy… and doing it with humility,” said Clarke. The retreat gave her a new understanding of leadership, arising out of a pursuit of passion projects: “Anybody can empower through what they love… that’s how I promote community and my own agency”.

Photo courtesy of Gia Clarke

“WORLLLD2” is anchored by its commitment to artistic activism; as Clarke put it, “individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) are not adequately nor positively represented in divergent societies today, and thus, there is a lack of empowerment for those adverse to social norms”. Her project aims to offer intersectional expression of both style and experience, through a dynamic interplay of voice and video. Clarke invites student artists from all disciplines to have a hand in the illustration of her songs: “Warzone,” “Oneself,” “Origin Story,” “Lies,” “Little do they Know,” “Dreams,” and “2 Me”. And, there is compensation offered, furnished with the support of the B.E.S.T. fund. The “WORLLLD2” lends itself to the interdisciplinary values of Bishop’s as a liberal arts institution, and fills what Clarke believes to be a gap in the campus culture, characterized by both a lack of unity and diversity. Clarke has reached out widely, through “every avenue [she] could find” to give life to her vision.

Beyond Lennoxville, Clarke connects to the world through an association with Charity Water, “a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe water to people around the world,” per her description. Clarke specifically highlights how “access to clean water affects income, education, and health,” which have disproportionate consequences for AFAB identities. The proceeds of “WORLLLD2” will be directed to Charity Water after honouring the conditions of the B.E.S.T fund. With a timeline that culminates in early Jun. 2027, Clarke hopes to showcase “WORLLLD2” through social media and on campus, collaborating with BU Film Festival, Research Week and BU Arts Fest at the end of her sixth and final year. Alongside music, Clarke is pursuing a multi-faceted degree in pre-medicine, health sciences, French and Spanish, with an athletic background in varsity soccer.

Anyone interested in co-creating with Clarke is encouraged to reach out to gclarke21@ubishops.ca – or find her at any one of her numerous involvements with Student Safety, Residence Life, or as an activity professional with the French department: building the world she wants to see, at Bishop’s and beyond.