In 2016, Tricia Knowles and Josh Lyon formed Calliope Collective, a not-for-profit arts collective that uses creative placemaking to cultivate a sense of wonder. The collective focuses on transforming and animating underused places in the city of Kingston, allowing participants to interact with the physical spaces of the city in new ways. Some of the first events facilitated by Calliope Collective centred on the solstice. In Douglas Fluhrer Park, the collective used large scale puppets of the Holly King and the Oak King, figures from Celtic folklore, as a form of storytelling. Importantly, Calliope Collective collaborates with local artists to connect the theatre, music, dance, and visual arts communities.
In 2021, after consultations with artists, environmental activists, and the greater Kingston community, Calliope Collective created Hydra, a pilot project for a future water parade. The parade visualizes the diverse relationships with water that exist within the community. Contributors included Clelia Scala, Todd Minicola, Krista Dalby, Nella Casson, Michelle Webb, and JP Longboat. In tandem with the parade, a short film was created by Lyon with additional photography by Randy deKleine Stimpson and original music by Teilhard Frost. The parade and short film highlight the collaborative strategies that Calliope Collectives uses to facilitate learning through the arts.
In 2021, after consultations with artists, environmental activists, and the greater Kingston community, Calliope Collective created Hydra, a pilot project for a future water parade. The parade visualizes the diverse relationships with water that exist within the community. Contributors included Clelia Scala, Todd Minicola, Krista Dalby, Nella Casson, Michelle Webb, and JP Longboat. In tandem with the parade, a short film was created by Lyon with additional photography by Randy deKleine Stimpson and original music by Teilhard Frost. The parade and short film highlight the collaborative strategies that Calliope Collectives uses to facilitate learning through the arts.
