At a time when artists across Nova Scotia are navigating funding cuts and increasing uncertainty, a new multidisciplinary initiative is creating space for expression, collaboration and community connection.
Fabric of Our DNA, presented by the House of Soli Productions, will launch with its kickoff event, Woven in Sound, on March 29 at Market Price. The free event, running from 4pm to 6pm, will feature a lineup of emerging artists whose work spans music, fashion and performance, weaving together themes of identity, culture and belonging.
The event comes at a critical moment for the province’s arts sector. Many artists and organizers say recent funding reductions have made it more difficult to sustain creative work and build platforms for new voices.
The initiative is supported by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. Jayme Lynn Butt, a communications manager with the commission and a storyteller with more than 13 years of experience in the media industry and the charity sector, has been essential to the project. In her role, Butt oversees the partnership of the Fabric of Our DNA program through the House of Soli and helps guide its vision and outreach.
“Art is not a luxury…it’s a necessity,” says Butt. “It’s how communities express identity, process change, and stay connected. In Nova Scotia especially, where culture is such a huge part of our identity, cuts to the arts don’t just impact artists, they impact entire communities.”
Butt noted that projects like Fabric of Our DNA are essential in maintaining that cultural ecosystem, particularly for emerging creatives looking for opportunities to share their work.
“This is about creating space,” she says. “When traditional avenues shrink, grassroots and community-led initiatives become even more important.”
That sense of urgency is echoed by artist Siena Perusse Shortte, a Halifax-based student, model, actress and multidisciplinary creative, who will be featured in the showcase.
“Cuts to the arts are incredibly discouraging, especially for young artists trying to find their footing,” Perusse Shortte says. “It can feel like the door is closing before you’ve even had the chance to step through it.”
For Perusse Shortte, participating in Woven in Sound is both a creative opportunity and a form of advocacy.
“Events like this remind us that the community is still here,” she says. “We’re still creating, still showing up, still telling our stories.”
She emphasized the importance of visibility, particularly for artists working across multiple disciplines.
Perusse Shortte picked up playing the piano as a means of self-expression. “I think people should come because they’ll see something honest,” she adds. “This is real people expressing where they’re at, what they’re going through, and what matters to them right now.”
Singer, esthetician, model and actress Ryonna is set to perform her original song at the event. Credit: Contributed
Also performing is Ryonna, an artist whose work reflects both personal storytelling and broader cultural influences. She sees the event as a powerful response to the challenges facing the arts sector.
“Right now, a lot of artists are feeling uncertain about where they fit and how they’re going to continue,” says Ryonna. “So having a space like this where people can come together, share their work, and support each other is everything.”
For Ryonna, music and performance are not just creative outlets but essential tools for connection.
“Art creates conversations that wouldn’t happen otherwise,” she says. “It allows people to see different perspectives, to feel understood, and to connect on a deeper level.”
She added that the energy of live performance plays a key role in building that connection.
“There’s something about being in a room with other people, experiencing the same moment,” says Ryonna. “That kind of shared energy is powerful, and it’s something we need more of, especially now.”
Ryonna also pointed to the importance of accessibility in events like Woven in Sound, noting that free programming helps remove barriers for both artists and audiences.
“When events are accessible, it opens the door for more people to engage with the arts,” she says. “And that’s how you build a stronger, more inclusive community.”
“Music is a universal language. No matter where you come from, it has the power to connect people.”
Since arriving in Halifax, Ryonna has been exploring how her sound fits within the local landscape, while also drawing inspiration from the city’s vibrant creative community.
“I wanted to bring something new, but also learn from what’s already here,” she says. “There’s so much talent in Halifax, and events like this create space for that exchange.”
Ryonna emphasized that, in the face of funding challenges, community-driven events are becoming increasingly important. Ryonna teases her latest single, “Aura”, which will be performed for the first time at the event.
Organizers say Woven in Sound is intentionally designed to highlight the diversity of artistic expression in Nova Scotia while fostering collaboration across disciplines. By centring emerging voices, the event aims to reflect both the challenges and the possibilities facing the province’s arts community.
As Nova Scotia artists continue to navigate an evolving landscape, Fabric of Our DNA, now in its 11th year, stands as both a celebration and a call to action, a reminder of the vital role art plays in shaping identity, fostering connection and sustaining community.
