Welcome to QVMAG's FREE Art + Performance series - where musicians, artists, dancers and actors respond to and give new life to our exhibitions through performance.
Join artist dr Merri Randell and voice coach Bec Tilley in the Rainbow Stable's Celebrating Identity: Activism and Ecstasy exhibition for a playful, exploratory voice workshop that invites participants to experience their voices in non‑traditional, joyful ways.
Two one-hour workshop sessions are available at 1pm and 2:30pm. You may register for one or both (they are identical), or simply attend as an audience member.
Between 2–2:30pm, everyone is welcome to explore the exhibition and meet some of the artists featured in the exhibition.
At the end of each workshop, participants will have the option to co‑create an improvised polyphonic soundscape. With consent, this audio will be recorded and embedded into dr Merri’s evolving artwork CUSP – allowing participants to hear themselves woven into the living sound ecology of the exhibition.
Please note that during the recording, only participants may remain in the gallery space.
What to expect:
The workshop involves gentle, embodied voice exploration, including:
- Stretching and vocal warm‑ups
- Nature‑inspired sound play — mimicking, interpreting and experimenting with organic sound textures
How you can take part:
- All are welcome to participate — Queer, Ally, regardless of identity or experience, this is a safe, welcoming environment to experiment, play and celebrate our voices in non‑judgemental ways. Please note children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Register for one or both workshops — choose 1pm, 2:30pm, or both. You may consent to contribute your voice to dr Merri’s CUSP artwork or opt out. To hear an example of previous CUSP soundscapes: vimeo.com/1180044101
- Drop in anytime — stay for a few minutes and enjoy the ambiance, or join the artist meet‑and‑greet from 2–2:30pm.
- Listen deeply — absorb the interplay of voices as the gallery transforms into a living sound ecology.
No bookings are required for general drop‑in attendance.
Whether you participate actively or simply listen, you’ll be part of a collective, more-than-human experience which transcends the notion of Performance.
Please note:
For the short 5–10 minute recording session at the end of each workshop (at approx. 1:50pm and 3:20pm), we kindly ask that only participants remain in the gallery space.
Thank you for your understanding.
About the artists
dr Merri Randell is a Queer visual artist who collaborates with Nature to create embodied, non‑binary, multi‑perspective ecologies. Their practice blends photography, sound, motion and community collaboration to craft transformative, immersive cinematic sensory experiences.
Through their ongoing CUSP project, Merri invites participants to become part of a living, evolving soundscape woven directly into the artwork; creating connection, inciting awe, inspiring change and empowering Nature.(www.merrirandell.com)
Bec Tilley is a vocal coach who is passionate about making singing inclusive to EVERYONE. She uses science‑based technique with a playful and exploratory approach, and the belief that there is no right or wrong way to sing.
With more than twelve years of experience working with singers locally and online, she continues to deepen this practice alongside her own creative work. Bec envisions a world where music and all arts are revered as powerful pathways for healing and transformation; reminding us that singing, sound‑making and rhythm are innate to being human.(www.bectilley.com)
About the exhibition
Celebrating Identity: Activism and Ecstasy is a community exhibition co-curated by Amy Bartlett, Hope Town and dr Merri Randell of Rainbow Stable, a community group consisting of queer and queer ally creatives who have been dedicated to supporting the LGBTIQA+ community in lutruwita/Tasmania through art, writing and music.
The exhibition honours queer and queer ally history in lutruwita/Tasmania and personal journeys of LGBTIQA+ folx towards acceptance and belonging within the wider community. There are two sections to the exhibition – a dedication section and a general exhibition section. Artists were invited to submit artworks made during 2025 or 2026 for the exhibition following the release of an expression of interest.
Featured artists: Amy Bartlett, Jenny Bird, Stella Blackwell, Tammy Gordon, Hope Town, Jen Ireland, Emily Jeffrey, Karen Knight, Carly Peters, Catherine Phillips, Merri Randell, Carmelo Salvo, Zara Sully, Jay Sykes, Mack Wharton, Stacey Wing, Sylvie Wylie
CELEBRATING IDENTITY: ACTIVISM AND ECSTACY
20 June - 13 September 2026
Museum at Inveresk, 2 Invermay Road, Launceston
Free entry | Open daily | 10am to 4pm
Image: 'Bec @ the CUSP', courtesy of dr Merri Randell (detail)