MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in May
It’s going to be an unforgettable May at ArtSpring! From Snotty Nose Rez Kids to the delicate craftsmanship of fine jewelry, our lineup this month is packed with storytelling, song, and community spirit. This is the last official month of our 2025/26 ArtSpring Presents season (apart from the Van Django Treasure Fair concert in July), so we hope you come and enjoy our lineup before we slow down for the summer!
The month blasts off on May 1st with Snotty Nose Rez Kids. Coming off the album’s historic JUNO win for Rap Album of the Year, the duo brings their Red Future tour to a sold-out crowd. If you have tickets, get ready to rock—the theatre is still vibrating from their last visit!
From May 1st to 3rd, local writers dive into Ignite, a 3-day advanced storytelling workshop led by award-winning actor, storyteller, and teacher Deb Williams. If you aren’t registered, you can still experience the spark at two public gallery events, both by donation: The Flame storytelling slam on May 2nd and the Ignite public performance on May 3rd.
On May 22nd, The Makana Youth Choirs are proud to present their spring concert. Throughout the term, young singers in Grades 2 to 8 have mastered a wide repertoire of songs from around the world in different languages and styles, each the result of hours of practice by the students and their dedicated choir leader, Caroni Young.
The MET Opera has something special in store for the last Live in HD screening of the season. On May 30th, Gabriela Lena Frank’s debut opera, El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego, hits our screen. Lovers of opera, Greek mythology, and the art of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera will be enchanted by this magical realism masterpiece. Visually, the production is an art lover’s dream, taking heavy inspiration from Kahlo’s and Rivera’s paintings. As always, coffee and quiche await at intermission.
Our long-awaited Homage exhibition is almost here! From May 8th to 22nd, acclaimed silver/goldsmith Donald A. Stuart’s sculptural necklaces will adorn our gallery. Curated by Salt Spring’s own Susan Benson, the exhibition features forty necklaces, each designed to evoke the spirit of a woman who has shaped Canada through art, sports, politics, and more from the 11th Century to today. We have a full suite of events planned around this exhibition, including an opening reception on May 8th, a curator’s talk on May 10th, and two fascinating panel discussions—Icons (May 14th) and Amazing Island Women (May 21st). We encourage you to wear your own most dramatic jewelry when you visit!
Community and off-island offerings this month include Vetta Chamber Music with Angela Cheng, 100 Women Who Care, Tower of Song: A Creative Tribute to Leonard Cohen, a screening of the film Prime Minister, GISPA’s The Little Prince, and the Japanese Garden Society’s unveiling of their memorial story interpretive panels.
We are now seeking donations and volunteers for this year’s Treasure Fair! We’re on the hunt for treasures—services, experiences, and items in good condition—for our annual silent auction. If you think you have something that fits the bill, let us know by visiting the Treasure Fair 2026 website and filling out a donation form. Or, if you’re looking for a fun way to contribute your time to Salt Spring’s arts community, please reach out to treasure@artspring.ca to join Treasure Fair’s volunteer team!
ArtSpring is thrilled to partner with the Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society (SAMS) to produce a special lobby exhibition for the month of June, and Indigenous artists from all nations are invited to submit their work. SAMS welcomes submissions in all mediums and is especially honoured to include a dedicated Children’s Gallery, uplifting the voices and artwork of our young ones. This is an opportunity to share stories, traditions, and contemporary Indigenous expression in a welcoming community exhibition. To be considered, submit your work to sweetgrassartsandmusicsociety@gmail.com by May 15th at 10:00 AM.
ArtSpring gratefully acknowledges Elly Silverman as the community supporter of Kelowna Ballet’s recent performance. Unfortunately, this important recognition was omitted from the printed program and from the stage acknowledgments. Elly’s generous support was given in loving memory of her sister, Sylvia, and we sincerely thank her for her meaningful contribution.
We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!
Howard R. Jang
Executive & Artistic Director
ArtSpring
