Léwuga Benson CV

Curriculum Vitae

Multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker working across moving image, installation, sound, and performance.

Education

MFA
Master of Fine Arts in Media Arts Production
University at Buffalo, Center for the Arts
Art in The Open — Coordinator Installation: The Land Gives Until It No Longer Can
BA/BS
Bachelors of Arts and Science in Media Study
University at Buffalo, Center for the Arts — graduated with high distinction
Art in The Open — Committee Member Director/Advisor — student class film project Videographer — Buffalo International Film Festival
AAS
Associates of Arts and Sciences in Recreation Leadership
Erie Community College
Member of Recreation Club Participated in Earth Day to clean, recycle, and beautify the college campus

Filmography

Feature
  • Leave The Door Open (feature film, 2025)
    Director / Producer / Writer / Editor — Digital
Short Films
  • The Places I Know (short film, 2022) — 8 min
    Director — Digital
  • Time to Leave (short film, 2020) — 15 min
    Director — Digital
  • Good Shot (short film, 2020) — 5 min
    Director — Digital
  • This Mutt (short film, 2019) — 6 min
    Director — Digital
Co-Directed
  • A Long Long Now (2019) — 30 min
    Buffalo Youth Media Institute — Co-Director
  • Hands as Far as The Eyes Can See (2018) — 27 min
    Buffalo Youth Media Institute — Co-Director
  • Civic Heart (2017) — 19 min
    Buffalo Youth Media Institute — Co-Director

Installations

Selected
  • Fueling Change — Buffalo Arts Studio (2024)
    Multimedia installation exploring the Niger Delta’s oil crisis
  • Untitled — NYSSSA at Fredonia University (2024)
    Oil drum installation with projection + sound emerging from the drum
  • Traces of Displacement — BAM Art Gallery (2023)
    Single oil drum + sound installation
  • Carrying Weight, Carrying the Identity — International Institute of Buffalo (2023)
    Performance involving carrying a 16-gallon oil drum for an extended duration
  • Hang in There — CEPA Gallery (2022)
    Interactive multimedia exhibit exploring America’s history of racism
  • The Land Gives Until It No Longer Can — University at Buffalo (2022)
    Installation illuminating the environmental devastation of oil extraction in Ogoni land
  • Home is Where the Art Is — Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (2018)
    Immersive installation exploring art + technology

Awards / Grants

Support
  • New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Grant — 2024
    Support for projects and production
  • New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Grant — 2026
    Support for Bridging Acts and related programming
  • Gregory Capaso Award
    Recognition for artistic excellence
  • Covid-19 Grant — 2020
    Emergency / relief support
  • Outstanding Graduate Film — Time to Leave
    University at Buffalo
  • Fulbright Scholarship Honoree — 2024
    University at Buffalo's Office of Academic Excellence

Residencies

Selected
  • Squeaky Wheel Residency (2024)
    Buffalo, NY

Collaboration

Projects
  • Bridging Acts: A Dialogue Between Motion and Media (2026)
    I am the creator, director and curator of this upcoming one-day interdisciplinary performance
  • Buffalo ReFUSE — Multi-Channel Video Installation (2025)
    Collaborative project with multiple artists — curated by Michael Chernoff

Volunteer / Internship Experience

Selected
  • SPCA — Canine Enrichment Volunteer
    Buffalo, NY
  • Shea’s Performing Art Center — Spotlight Committee Volunteer
    Buffalo, NY
  • Albright-Knox Art Gallery — Art Assistant Volunteer
    Buffalo, NY
  • Spectrum Sports — Video Production Intern
    Buffalo, NY
  • Squeaky Wheel Film and Media Art Center — Video Production Intern
    Buffalo, NY
  • WNED-TV Buffalo & Toronto — Pledges Volunteer
    Buffalo, NY