Inspired by the artistic works of esteemed artist Betty LaDuke, percussionist and composer Terry Longshore’s latest composition, “Full Circle: Turtle Wisdom,” is a gong orchestra work connected with LaDuke’s turtle art series.

Longshore, LaDuke and other collaborators will come together for the world premiere of “Full Circle: Turtle Wisdom” at ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum, playing the percussive music while backed by LaDuke’s visual art.

“Betty is a huge influence on me for a lot of reasons, but the biggest is who she is. She’s such a passionate and caring and thoughtful person and artist,” Longshore said.

Longshore will be accompanied by the Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble as well as students of his honors college course, “Making Music,” at the university.

The percussionists will bring the tempo for two performances at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at ScienceWorks, offering visitors the chance to hear his new work for the first time publicly.

A reception for the concerts will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

A video, created by collaborator and multimedia artist Dave Leibowitz, will be shown during the performances as well.

LaDuke’s “Turtle Wisdom” series will be displayed at the museum, offering listeners the chance to make connections between the two artist’s works.

Tickets are $10 and available online at scienceworksmuseum.org or at the door.

It is free to attend for ScienceWorks members as well as SOU faculty, students and staff with a photo ID.

Longshore and LaDuke’s artistic connection began in 2012.

“It started with a solo gong piece I wrote and performed in 2012 called “This Moment in Time,” and Betty LaDuke came to the performance and told me after that she loved it and that the large, circular shape of gong reminded her of turtles,” Longshore said. “She right away started making these large, circular turtle artworks and invited me to see them; they’re incredible.”

LaDuke continued developing her turtle series before eventually unveiling “Turtle Wisdom,” a visual art series of 20 carved and painted turtles.

“Each turtle has a theme and all of them have overarching personal, political and playful themes, which is so indicative of all of her art,” Longshore said, adding, “There’s always this sense of playfulness about them too.”

LaDuke’s art series not only inspired Longshore, but motivated him to use that creative energy in his own artistic medium — percussion.

“I thought about it for a while and what came to mind was to come full circle and write a new piece for gong orchestra inspired by her works,” he said. “I started thinking and figured I could have a bunch of people playing gongs of different sizes, shapes and sounds and treat it like an orchestra with soft sections and loud sections.”

Collaboration is a constant in Longshore’s artistic pursuits, and “Full Circle: Turtle Wisdom” is no different.

“I’ve done lots things like this, collaborating with artists, dancers, filmmakers and lots of different collaborations over my career,” he said. “If there’s one word for my work, collaboration is the one; I do that more than anything.”

That cooperative spirit includes Longshore’s students and the SOU Percussion Ensemble.

“This is something that anybody can take part in, regardless of if they’re a music expert or not,” he said. “Some of (the students) have never played music in their life.”

“We’re all equal players in this,” he added.

With the show rapidly approaching, Longshore is eagerly anticipating showing his new musical work and showcasing collaboration across artistic skill sets.

“It’s all coming together nicely,” he said.

To learn more about Longshore, visit terrylongshore.com.

For more information on LaDuke, go to bettyladuke.com.