Project Creative Industries (PCI), a student-run organization at Bentley University, is dedicated to spotlighting the creative arts on campus and beyond. From fashion and photography to music, film, and graphic design, PCI fosters an inclusive space for students to explore and express their artistic passions, whether it is just for fun or as a future career.
Throughout the academic year, PCI hosts a variety of events such as painting nights and open mic performances, offering students one-of-a-kind experiences that celebrate diverse forms of creativity. The organization also promotes local art events in the Greater Boston area, encouraging students to engage with our wider artistic community.
But no event captures the spirit of PCI more than its signature semi-annual Showcase which is an immersive, multimedia celebration of student art, performances, and entrepreneurship.
This spring’s Showcase was an unforgettable evening of live music, dance, fashion, makeup artistry, and live drawing. Attendees supported Bentley-based small businesses and student entrepreneurs, who sold creative products, such as lotions and candles, during the event.
The inspiration behind Eternal Bloom comes from senior Yasmin Zuibi, who completed her fourth and final year with PCI. As creative director, Yasmin wanted the theme to reflect both the growth and resilience of artistic expression.
“PCI has greatly impacted my college experience beyond words,” Yasmin shared. “I joined my freshman year, not knowing much about it, but I knew I wanted a platform to continue expressing my creative ideas. I saw very quickly that Bentley’s campus often overlooks the power and influence that creativity holds.”
In those early days, PCI’s presence was far less developed than it is now. Yasmin recalls participating in her first Showcase, an event so small, she arrived just as it ended. That moment, though disheartening, became a turning point. She made it a personal mission to help PCI grow into what it is today: a vibrant, visible, and influential community on campus.
“From transforming different locations on campus into immersive creative experiences to building a foundation for creatives to rise and represent themselves, I’ve grown so fond of how much this community has evolved. It was once so isolated. Now, it’s thriving.”
This semester’s theme, Eternal Bloom, is deeply personal to Yasmin and the PCI community. It celebrates the resilience of artistic expression and the enduring impact of creativity, even in environments that don’t always nurture it.
“Eternal Bloom represents how creativity is always blooming around us, regardless of the environments we’re in,” she said. “Bentley is so business-focused that creativity is often outshone or not taken seriously. But for me, creativity has been a major factor in my success and what sets every student apart from one another.”
For many attendees, PCI’s Showcase was their first exposure to the full range of creative talent that exists at Bentley. For others, it’s a place where they can feel seen and inspired.
“Going into my last ever Showcase, I felt nothing but pride,” Yasmin said. “It’s been amazing to watch PCI grow into a platform that supports artists and creators of all backgrounds. I feel content with the footprint PCI will continue to imprint on Bentley’s campus long after I graduate.”
Project CI invites the Bentley community to recognize the artistry that often goes unnoticed and to celebrate the ways in which creativity, like nature, is always in bloom. To learn more, visit https://projectcreativeind.wixsite.com/projectci