Exhibition + Musical Performance

Exhibition | Stelo Arts

June 5th - July 12th | 12PM - 5PM, Thursday - Saturday

Oregon Origins Project in partnership with Stelo presents an epic new musical work and art exhibition depicting the dramatic events of Oregon’s geologic history. Join us for an artistic exploration of the state’s geologic origin stories, including Columbia River basalt flows, Basin and Range earthquakes, Cascade volcanoes, Missoula floods, and much more.

For the summer 2025 event, composer and Oregon Origins Project director/composer Matthew Packwood, is collaborating with a local geologist Ian Madin and conductor Ken Seldon to create an hourlong string orchestra work telling the geologic story of the creation of ancient Oregon. This work draws inspiration from many wild places across the state and the forces that shaped them. For this new collaboration Oregon Origins Project has commissioned ten Oregon-based visual artists to each create a work inspired by a major event in the state's geologic history, to be projected during the performance and shown in an accompanying exhibit at Stelo. The participating artists are Michael Boonstra, Claire Burbridge, Christine Bourdette, Juniper Harrower, James Lavadour, Daniela Naomi Molnar, Sidony O'Neal, Sara Siestreem, Amanda Triplett, and Leah Wilson.

Programming:

Opening Reception
June 5th, 2025 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Our opening reception will take place on the first Thursday of June. Snacks and light refreshments will be available. 

POSTPONED - Listening to the Land, Learning from Its Stewards
Date TBD
A community conversation exploring environmental issues through the lens of Indigenous knowledge and stewardship. Join us in learning, listening, and reflecting on how to be in solidarity with Indigenous-led efforts to protect Oregon’s lands and waters. 

Geology Talk with Ian Madin: The Birth of Cascadia
July 1st, 2025, at 6:30 PM
Join us for an expanded version of the ten geologic stories that accompany the music performance. Beginning with a watermelon demonstration of plate tectonics, we’ll journey through each story with opportunities for audience interaction.

Closing Panel: Artists & Geologists in Conversation
July 12th, 2025, at 2:30 PM
Join us for the Oregon Origins Project Closing Panel discussion. Hear directly from the artists, geologists, and project director as they share insights into the creative process behind bringing Oregon’s ancient origins to life through art and exploration.

Performance | Patricia Reser Center For The Arts

The artwork will be projected during an orchestral performance of “The Birth of Cascadia,” an original composition by Matthew Packwood, performed at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts June 21–22.

Oregon Origins Project in an arts/culture initiative which explores the ancient origins of the state of Oregon through creative expression. Our fall events are devoted to lifting up indigenous culture bearers, and the spring events present new artistic work of a wide range of styles/disciplines.