The Nanaimo Arts Council has launched the second phase of the Arts-Based Community Development project with the support of a project grant from the British Columbia Arts Council. The first phase of the project was focused on the core of our city through the visual arts – the creation of a photography based installation by community members and groups with local lead artists. The second phase of the project will also be based in the centre of the city with an emphasis on sound and music.  What might this mean?  The artists who will invite community to explore the potential of this question have now been selected – the skills and experience they bring to the engagement process are outstanding!

The Lead Artist for this Arts-Based Community Development project, In A Different Scale – Nanaimo CORE, is Bill Perison. Perison holds a BFA in Music from York University. His skills and abilities include: singer, pianist, composer - choral and instrumental; recording engineer; and music technology consultant. He is co-author of the book, Circle of Sound Voice Education, (Boosey & Hawkes 2005). The book describes contemplative approaches to singing through Meditation, Movement and Vocalization. Bill is also a freelance music educator (children and adults) who focuses on body work as it connects to music making and creating group compositions.

Bill notes that within the context of creative process, “Music can be described as 'organized sound'. I intend to help participants raise their awareness of the sounds around us and to find ways of organizing found sounds combined with composed (intentional sound) into a unique collage that increases the awareness in the hearer of their role in the creation of our community culture.”

Bill’s extensive training and background in martial arts, mediative practice, and sound/web technologies invite the NAC team to consider questions and perspectives to appraoch the “In A Differentc Scale”  project, “We create sound everyday. Where does it go? How does it affect others in this community? As we learn to listen to that  outside ourselves we are better able to listen to that inside ourselves. When we can  hear with greater acuity we are better able to hear others' points of view and also better able to share our own. My background in connective bodywork coupled with experience drawing out peoples’ musical essense and combining with a deep understanding of technology will allow a diverse group of people to  participate in both recorded and live events.”

The development and execution of the  live and recorded events will be co-lead by an exceptional group of local artists who will start work on the project in January 2010.  The artists bring together skill sets that range from leading formal choirs to improvisation with large groups; piano and flute playing expertise to masterclass drum making, on-site technical assistance for musical events, production and post production audio work, community radio experience, event promotion, and participation in the sound ecology movement. The Nanaimo Arts Council is pleased to welcome co-lead artists: Steve Rush, Tamara Martella, Dave Roth, Leah Hokanson and Tim Mills to this Arts-Based Community Development project.  

The project will have organizational support and logistical contribution from NAC President, Rosina Solylo and NAC Manager, Odette Laramee. We look forward to engagement with NAC members, local Arts and Community organizations, individuals, groups, businesses, and public sector workers who are involved in Nanaimo’s CORE. For further information contact Odette at the gallery 250.729.3947 or the NAC Community-Arts-Space 250.619.0331.