(Wahayoo Panoona (Newberry Volcano) | Photo by Ellen Morris Bishop)

Oregon Origins Project, an innovative arts and culture nonprofit which explores the ancient origins of the state of Oregon through creative expression, proudly announces Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption, a bold and multifaceted exploration of Newberry Volcano in central Oregon, the largest volcano by area in the Cascade Range. The June 25-26, 2026 program in Bend includes a new work for contemporary dance inspired by the caldera, an evening of Northern Paiute legends and stories, an exhibition exploring geology and transformation, and a special guided tour of the volcano.

“We’re excited to present our first program in central Oregon by focusing on an extraordinary landscape at Bend’s doorstep, Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Newberry is a place of cultural significance to the Northern Paiute tribe and a hotbed of ongoing geologic activity including the caldera, Big Obsidian Flow, Lava Butte, and more. We invite audiences to join us in an exploration of this remarkable volcano through the arts, sciences, and Indigenous living traditions.” ~ Matthew Packwood, Executive Director, Oregon Origins Project

“Through the investigation of the volcano and working with geologists and artists, this experience has distinctly shaped my choreography and sound creation. I feel honored to present a brand new work as we explore a much larger conversation about place, history, and transformation inspired by the physical processes held inside Newberry Volcano.” ~ Samuel Hobbs, Artistic Director, push/FOLD Dance Company Here are highlights of the multifaceted program:

• Thursday, June 25: Stories of the Northern Paiute, a special gathering led by Wilson Wewa, the Northern Paiute tribe’s spiritual leader and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
  • Wewa’s presentation will range widely across the central Oregon landscape, with oral histories, legends, accounts of war, and recent events related to the tribe’s presence in the lands that have been their homeland since time immemorial.
• Friday, June 26: Echoes of Eruption, a premiere of a contemporary dance work commissioned by Oregon Origins Project from choreographer/composer Samuel Hobbs and performed by Hobbs’ innovative dance company push/FOLD.
  • This substantial new work will take audiences into the molten heart of Newberry, layering and folding bodies in a sculptural exploration of churning magma, with a musical soundscape evocative of the glassy textures of the Big Obsidian Flow.
  • Following the performance, UO geologist Daniele McKay will offer a multimedia presentation about the caldera, illuminating the remarkable variety of volcanic features at Newberry and how it continues to shape central Oregon.
• Both programs include a Q&A after the The June 26 performance also includes a pre-performance talk at 6:30pm with choreographer/composer Samuel Hobbs and geologist Daniele McKay.

And here are highlights of Oregon Origins Project partner events:

• May 1-June 26: Bend’s own Scalehouse Collaborative for the Arts will expand the program through Visual Echoes, an exhibition of visual artworks exploring geology, transformation, and the echoes of time and place through visual The exhibition will be on view in the Scalehouse ANNEX Gallery.
• Saturday, June 27: Discover Your Northwest will offer a free guided tour of Newberry National Volcanic Monument for Oregon Origins Project ticket holders.
• “Visual Echoes highlights how artists interpret the forces that shape our region, translating geology and time into visual experiences that connect people more deeply to place. We’re excited to be in dialogue with Oregon Origins Project and contribute to a program that brings together art, science, and story in such a meaningful way.” ~ Marley Weedman Lorish, Executive Director, Scalehouse

Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption
June 25-26, 2026 at 7:30pm
Tower Theatre
835 NW Wall St, Bend
Tickets: Flexible pricing, $10 minimum ticket price;
tickets at oregonorigins.org

About Oregon Origins Project:
Founded in 2022, Oregon Origins Project is an innovative arts and culture nonprofit which explores the ancient origins of the state of Oregon through creative expression. The project provides a platform for Indigenous artists and culture bearers to share their living traditions and artistic work, and offers an opportunity for artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to create new work inspired by the state’s origins. Oregon Origins Project is headquartered in Portland and active across the state of Oregon, the latter with an emphasis on reaching audiences in smaller communities with arts and culture events relevant to them. The project’s past events include:

• Oregon Origins Project VII: wéetes waχ tim’íne (Earth + Heart), an exploration of the Nez Perce Tribe’s relationship to the land through traditional stories, songs, language, and art
• Oregon Origins Project VI: The Birth of Cascadia, an epic new musical work and art exhibition depicting the dramatic events of Oregon’s geologic history
• Oregon Origins Project V: Keeping Traditions Alive, a celebration of Indigenous living traditions and creative expression through storytelling, dressmaking, basketry, and dance
• Oregon Origins Project IV: Convergence, a new play inspired by the formation of the Cove Palisades and the confluence of three desert rivers
• Oregon Origins Project III: Maa~‑xuslh‑ghalh‑ta Tututni Dené (A Year in Tututni Dené Seasons), a journey through the seasonal traditions of the southwest Oregon coast indigenous peoples
• Oregon Origins Project II: Seven Wonders, a new contemporary music and dance work exploring the ancient forces that shaped Oregon’s wild places
• Oregon Origins Project I: Indigenous Voices, a one-of-a-kind gathering of Native American artists and culture bearers from across Oregon

Oregon Origins Project is committed to keeping its events accessible and affordable through flexibleticketpricingandonlinevideopresentationsfollowingeachevent.

Oregon Origins Project VIII: Echoes of Eruption is generously supported by the Ronni S. Lacroute Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Clabough Foundation, Tower Theatre Foundation, Waypoint Hotel,

Reed College Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program, Brooks Resources, Discover Your Northwest, and the Central Oregon Geoscience Society.

oregonorigins.org • instagram.com/oregonoriginsproject • facebook.com/oregonorigins