The Pictures Project

Pictures at an Exhibition is a suite of 10 pieces composed for piano by Modest Mussorgsky in 1874. Inspired by the works of his late artist friend Viktor Hartmann, Mussorgsky wrote this music after touring Hartmann’s posthumous exhibition, and composed a piece of music for each piece of art.

The Vancouver Island Symphony’s Pictures Project is a multi-faceted project that showcases the music of Pictures at an Exhibition arranged for the VIS by Canadian composer Jason Nett. The Pictures Project includes these exciting components:

• Live in-Theatre Education Shows at The Port Theatre in April 2022 and Education shows for Students in Grades 4, 5 & 6 in the fall 2022 and spring 2023.
• A Digital Education Series showcasing our musicians, their instruments and the orchestra performing together. This Series will be available anywhere in the world for schools or individuals to use to learn about the instruments and workings of the orchestra.
• A Documentary Film about the Vancouver Island Symphony, by filmmaker, John Bolton of Opus 59 Films.
• A Visual Art Exhibit featuring Vancouver Island Artists
• The Pictures at an Exhibition show will tour to smaller communities beyond our region in 2022 to 2025.

We asked Island-based visual artists to listen to Mussorgsky’s music and create art inspired by the music. Congratulations to our ten winners whose artwork is on display in the Port Theatre lobby and on stage for the Pictures at an Exhibition performance.