Sounds Like Home
What does home sound like to you? Explore how sound connects us to memory, identity, and belonging through a collaborative portrait, audio and video project.
We are looking for up to 15 participants for a community art & sound project.
Apply by August 4, 2026! NO artistic experience is required!
Project Overview
Sounds Like Home invites newcomers and Richmond residents with lived immigrant experience to explore the sounds, songs, environments, and listening experiences that connect them to memory, identity, familiarity, and belonging.
Through conversation, creative exploration, and portrait-making with artists, participants will transform their stories and sound memories into collaborative portraits, audio, and video works. Participants have the choice to decide what they share and how they are represented throughout the creative process.
The project leads to a public installation of up to 15 portraits and sound works, creating opportunities for connection, cultural exchange, and reflection through the power of listening.
Through this project, participants will:
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Learn new skills in photography and storytelling through facilitated workshops with the artist team
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Connect with others in group activities and learn from each other
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Share your ideas and perspectives on the benefits of an inclusive community
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Review and approve the work at each step, so the final published piece reflects what you want to share.
This Project is commissioned by Richmond Public Art through the Emerging Artist in Community Program and in partnership with Richmond Community Social Development, Richmond Local Immigration Partnership, S.U.C.C.E.S.S., and Chimo Community Services .
Artist Team
Sounds Like Home is guided by a team of artists who bring experience in storytelling, portraiture, sound, and creative community engagement.
Giselle Liu – Lead Artist. Giselle is an interdisciplinary choreographer whose work explores intergenerational and intercultural dialogue through embodied storytelling. Working across dance, mixed media, installation, and community-based practice, she creates projects that bridge disciplines and lived experience.
Charlie Cooper – Sound Artist. Charlie is a musician who works across live performances, installation, and sound design. His performance and recording combine instruments, objects, and sound sources, often incorporating electroacoustics, video, and texts. In his hybridized field recording practice, Charlie explores sites with radios, cameras, journals, microphones, and found objects.
Michelle Gao – Expressive Arts Facilitator. Michelle is an Expressive Arts Therapy and community arts facilitator based in Vancouver. Her work supports creativity, connection, and well-being through expressive arts and trauma-informed practices. She has extensive experience working with children, youth, adults, and families, particularly within marginalized and underserved communities.
Participant Commitment
Who Can Participate?
We welcome participants who:
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Are 19 years of age or older and live or work in Richmond
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Are newcomers or have lived immigrant experience in Canada
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Are interested in participating in a collaborative creative process, including listening, sound, portraiture, and reflection
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Are comfortable participating in a consent-based process involving photography, audio, recording, video recording, and public presentation.
Participants will join one of two small groups, with each group including 7-8 people from diverse ages, cultural backgrounds, languages, abilities, and migration or settlement experiences.
Group A
Location:
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex- Butterfly Room (TBC)
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Meet & Greet
Sept 5, 2026 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Listening in Community
Sept 19, 2026 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Conversation & Interview
Sept 20, 2026 (Sun) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Sounding Home
Oct 3, 2026 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Portrait Creation
Oct 4, 2026 (Sun) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Video Reflection
Oct 24, 2026 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Collective Review & Finalization
Feb 20, 2027 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Final Review & Approval
Feb 27, 2027 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM
Location:
Richmond Public Library- Brighouse Branch
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Community Gathering & Installation
Mar 6, 2027 (Sat) | 12:00-3:00 PM
Group B
Location:
Richmond Cultural Centre Annex- Butterfly Room (TBC)
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Meet & Greet
Sept 5, 2026 (Sat) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Listening in Community
Sept 19, 2026 (Sat) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Conversation & Interview
Sept 20, 2026 (Sun) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Sounding Home
Oct 3, 2026 (Sat) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Portrait Creation
Oct 4, 2026 (Sun) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Video Reflection
Oct 24, 2026 (Sat) | 1:00-3:00 PM -
Collective Review & Finalization
Feb 20, 2027 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM -
Final Review & Approval
Feb 27, 2027 (Sat) | 10:00-12:00 PM
Location:
Richmond Public Library- Brighouse Branch
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Community Gathering & Installation
Mar 6, 2027 (Sat) | 12:00-3:00 PM
Participation Selection Process
To create a meaningful and inclusive group experience, the selection process will consider:
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Whether you are 19 or older, live or work in Richmond, and are a newcomer or have lived immigrant experience in Canada
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Your availability and ability to attend the majority of scheduled sessions for either Group A or Group B.
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Your interest in sound, stories, portraits, belonging, and community connection
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Your comfort with photography, audio, video creation, as well as sharing the final work with the public after providing your approval.