Newsletter for June 2026 (Vol.21; Iss. 6)
Produced by New Adventures in Sound Art
www.naisa.ca

1) Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art
2) Sound Travels Exhibition
3) Sound Travels 4-day Workshop Intensive
4) Interview with Barry Truax
5) SOUNDplay Festival

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Sky Reflecting on Deer Lake photo by Nadene Thériault-Copeland

1) Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art

June 6 – September 12, 2026
NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 313 Highway 124, South River
naisa.ca/festivals/sound-travels

New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA) announces the 28th edition of the Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art with 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 Installations | 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.

3) Sound Travels 4-Day Workshop Intensive

July 16 – 20, 2026
Warbler’s Roost, 3785D Eagle Lake Road, South River
$678 with 4 nights accommodation and $495 with no accommodation.
Advance registration required

This 4-day Workshop is for artists of all levels of experience to create sound art works in situ and/or that include outdoor elements embedded in their works. This will be a creative and very personal way to celebrate World Listening Day, an occasion to reflect on the sound-making of all organisms that inhabit the soundscapes we have the privilege of experiencing.

The workshop will be located at Warbler’s Roost and will be facilitated by NAISA Artistic Director Darren Copeland as well as workshop components delivered by guest artists Fred Pinto, Christine Charette and Gordon Monahan.

Fred Pinto, naturalist, forester, and birder in North Bay, will lead a workshop on the geologic history of the Parry Sound region and how it shapes the vegetation around Warbler’s Roost. He will lead a walk striking rock pebbles to uncover different bedrock types

Christine Charette will share background on her multi-disciplinary approach of combining text, soundscape recording and visual art to create outdoor site-specific works, two of which include pieces made for Warbler’s Roost.

Gordon Monahan will join online to talk about his sound installations using pianos in outdoor sites. He will set the framework for a workshop activity using the Weathered Piano site at Warbler’s Roost.

4) Interview with Barry Truax

Making Waves Radio Show
Listen here with transcript

In an interview with host Darren Copeland, Barry Truax shares his personal artistic history, linking his origins in computer and electroacoustic music with his role in soundscape studies and the World Soundscape Project. A good portion of the discussion is reserved for the 2022 piece What the Waters Told Me, which was presented on June 6 as part of NAISA’s Sound Travels Pride concert.

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.

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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. A special thanks also to Almaguin Pride for sponsoring NAISA’s Pride concert on June 6, 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