SSI’s Homelands Regional Arts Tour program aims to raise awareness and understanding of refugee experiences through arts, music and storytelling to increase social cohesion at regional and metropolitan settlement locations in New South Wales and Queensland during Refugee Week. This itinerant roadshow will consist of a multimedia exhibition, comprising short films, photography, painting and digital art, and a performing arts showcase comprising live music, a short film, narration and experimental performance.

Touring from Sydney, Homelands 2023 presents “Stories of Welcome” a multi-arts storytelling project that supports the skills development and the creation of new artistic work by members of the refugee and asylum-seeking community of the Mid-North Coast NSW. This collective exhibition includes short films, photography and both visual and digital artwork.

Alongside that, we will be presenting ‘Urban Stories’, the result of an artist development program led by CuriousWorks. This component encompasses 5 artists from refugee backgrounds showcasing film, music, experimental live performance, live reading and visual arts (paintings).

The program will conclude with a feature performance of ‘Love, Always Love’, a collection of personal stories and original songs of courage, love, and family connection by renowned Lebanese musician and singer Samira El Koussa, in new arrangements for western and arabic instruments by acclaimed musician Greta Kelly, award-winning composer Corrina Bonshek and featuring electronic songstress May Lyn.

The project will embark on a tour for Refugee Week 2023, with stops in Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast and Brisbane, for which SSI is partnering with the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC), Home of Arts (HOTA), Aquarius Arcade, King Tide Brewery, Newcastle Museum, and University of Newcastle to deliver an impactful multidisciplinary artistic showcase that elevates the voices and experiences of refugees.

Love, Always Love was created by Corrina Bonshek & Collaborators, supported by City of Gold Coast, with support from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, HOTA - Home of the Arts, BEMAC, the Multicultural Families Organisation and Bleach* Festival. The premiere was produced by Bleach* Festival.

2023 Homelands Tour featuring Love, Always Love
5:30pm Wednesday, June 21
HOTA, Home of the Arts
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
Free entry. Registration required.
Exhibition viewing 5:30pm. Showcase: 6:30pm.