Hundreds of Kent County students explore creative futures at Mosaic

Nearly 400 students from schools across Kent County got a behind-the-scenes look at the magic that comes from Hollywood.

The students took part in the 2025 Mosaic Event held Nov. 6 at Celebration Cinema North. This daylong activity was dedicated to the exploration of creativity, storytelling, and innovation in the arts, digital media, and technology.

Now in its 14th year, the Mosaic Event invites young people to see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of culture and technology. 

The day was organized by the nonprofit Mosaic Film Experience. Students took part in hands-on workshops, student films, and professional mentorship with the goal of discovering how creative careers can influence their lives and their communities.

“The Mosaic Event is about helping students see themselves as creators of their own future,” says Skot Welch, founder and president of Mosaic Film Experience. “When young people are exposed to professionals and hear stories that reflect their lives, it unlocks possibility. That’s the power of vision—showing students what’s possible, then giving them the tools and confidence to pursue it.”

Impact of storytelling

This year’s theme, “The Power of Vision,” focused on how storytelling and imagination can drive equity, representation, and connection in the digital age.

Headlining the event were members of 9B Collective, the first Black-owned concept art studio made up primarily of BIPOC artists. 

Co-founder and concept artist Phillip Boutte Jr., whose work includes Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Inception, and The Hunger Games, gave students a behind-the-scenes look at how visual development supports storytelling in film.

The message was that research and collaboration are essential tools for any artist. 

“It’s about understanding the job behind the job, how every creative choice connects to storytelling,” he told students.

Joining him were 9B members Joshua Leonard and Barry Brown Jr., both nationally recognized artists with credits spanning major projects for Marvel Studios, Netflix, and Disney. 

Leonard, creator of the animated series Team Supreme, spoke about using storytelling to challenge norms and expand what heroism looks like through characters who live with disabilities.

Aldis Hodge, Actor and 9B co-founder, offered a recorded message from London encouraging students to stay curious and courageous in their creative journeys.

Local contributions

Students participated in workshops covering artificial intelligence, filmmaking, podcasting, storytelling, personal branding, and performance. Local organizations including Atomic Object, GRTV, WYCE, and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre led sessions designed to build skills and confidence.

The event also featured a screening of Apples, a short film by Grand Rapids City High School students Daniel Ewer and Caleb Jesse, winners of the national Nourishing Narratives competition, a partnership between Mosaic Film Experience and the Newman’s Own Foundation. The contest challenges students nationwide to create short films about food justice using only mobile devices.

Organizers previewed Living Histories, a six-week summer filmmaking program co-produced with Sony. The documentary project brought together 11 West Michigan students and local elders to explore intergenerational storytelling. 

Participant Nuha Hussein, now a Grand Valley State University student, says the program provided mentorship and lasting connections that strengthened her creative confidence.

Brown, whose credits include Wicked and Marvel’s What If…?, closed the event by reminding students that vision works best when paired with persistence. Sharing his path through loss and renewal, he encouraged them to value consistency as much as talent.

“Success doesn’t just come from being gifted,” Brown says. “It comes from showing up every day with purpose, with vision, and with the belief that your story matters.”

Photos courtesy of Mosaic Film Experience.