Newsletter for August 2026 (Vol.21; Iss. 8)
Produced by New Adventures in Sound Art
www.naisa.ca

1) Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art
2) Sound Travels Exhibitions
3) Decomposing Piano Jam
4) Sound Travels Online
5) SOUNDplay Festival

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1) Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art

June 6 – September 13, 2026
NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 313 Highway 124, South River
naisa.ca/festivals/sound-travels

The 28th edition of the Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art, produced by New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA), includes performances, installations and a 4-day workshop intensive.

“The inability of the human ear to function efficiently underwater does not limit us from being fascinated by it, nor to developing the tools we need to extend our senses and expand the boundaries of our aesthetic experience. This years’ Sound Travels events explore the ‘Sound Culture’ of Water—how the sound of water is shaped by its cultural use, spiritual practices and human engineering.” — Darren Copeland, Artistic Director, New Adventures in Sound Art

Waterscape by Lina Choi

2) Sound Travels Exhibitions

Waterscape by Lina Choi
June 11 – September 7, 2026
NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 313 Highway 124, South River
Admission by Donation
View more information

Waterscape is a sound sculpture by Lina Choi that produces water-like sounds through small motor-driven devices. Each element creates subtle drops and flows, forming an evolving, immersive sound environment. Inspired by the movement of water, the work reinterprets these rhythms through mechanical systems, blurring the line between natural and artificial. The surrounding sounds invite listeners to slow down and experience a shifting sonic landscape.

Voice of the Water by Eric Powell
Permanent Installation | Ongoing
Pay by Donation

Voice of the Water is an interactive rotary telephone-based listening station. Using sounds collected from inside the lakes and rivers around South River, Voice of the Water encourages listeners to connect with the local waterways as they explore the boundaries and overlaps between planes of existence. Visit here for more information.

Sensation of Distribution by Mitchell Akiyama and Brady Peters & Decomposing Piano
Permanent Outdoor Installation | Ongoing

While you are at NAISA, step outside to discover the natural resonance of tubing in the Sensation of Distribution by Mitchell Akiyama and Brady Peters or join Executive Director Nadene Theriault-Copeland on the second Sunday of June/July/August, 1 – 3pm to improvise on the Decomposing Piano.

Improv on the Decomposing Piano by Nadene Theriault-Copeland. Photo: Darren Copeland

3) Decomposing Piano Jam

August 9 & September 13, 2026, 1 – 3pm
NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 313 Highway 124, South River
Free
View more information

An interesting way to learn about improvisation is to play an instrument that is always changing. The Decomposing Piano has been transforming outdoors since December 2022. It continues to challenge expectations and transform possibilities, revealing new sound colours and tunings as time passes on. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to join NAISA Executive Director Nadene Thériault-Copeland in the discovery process.

4) Sound Travels Online

Listening to Water with Lina Choi
Video of Lina Choi’s artist talk on NAISA’s Substack page with transcription with footage of her installation at NAISA as well as past performances by Lina Choi

patawag sinag, pt II by kat estacio
Video of kat estacio’s performance for Kulintang and Electronics at NAISA’s of June 6 Pride Concert

The Elemental Trilogy by Barry Truax
Video of Barry Truax’s full trilogy of works with introduction and spectogram displayfrom at NAISA’s June 6 Pride Concert

What the Waters Told Me with Barry Truax
An interview with Barry Truax on NAISA Substack page

Voice of the Water with Eric Powell
Radio interview with Eric Powell on Voice of the Water, a telephone sound sculpture comprised of lake and river recordings from the South River area.

5) SOUNDplay Festival

September 18 – December 21, 2026
NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 313 Highway 124, South River

SOUNDplay Festival returns for its 25th annual edition featuring a new sound installation by Julia White entitled By the Light of the Wild Within and a poetry film screening on December 5 featuring works by Sundridge multi-disciplinary artist Mary McDonald.

The 25th annual edition of NAISA’s SOUNDplay Festival opens September 18 and features a new multi-channel sound installation by Julia White entitled By the Light of the Wild Within and a poetry film screening on December 5 featuring works by Sundridge multi-disciplinary artist Mary McDonald as well as the annual 48-hour Sound Art Challenge (October 16 – 18, 2026). Also included will be an audio broadcast of Fire which is Part 7 in the series You And I Are Water Earth Fire Air Of Life And Death curated by Christof Migone along with Milo Thesiger-Meacham.

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New Adventures in Sound Art is a non-profit organization that presents performances and installations spanning the entire spectrum of sound art. NAISA is partially funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, and the Canada Council for the Arts. NAISA would also like to thank Reuten Construction, Charles Street Video, and Warbler’s Roost for their sponsorship of its Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art 2026.

NAISA North Media Arts Centre is Accessible

Inquiries & general information:
Nadene Thériault-Copeland, Executive Director
New Adventures in Sound Art
313 Highway 124, South River, ON P0A 1X0
705-386-0880