Rainbow Robert Joins ArtSpring as New Executive Director

Salt Spring Island, BC — June 11, 2026 — ArtSpring is delighted to announce the appointment of Rainbow Robert to the new role of Executive Director effective July 27, 2026.

Rainbow Robert will lead ArtSpring’s ongoing commitment to presenting exceptional arts and cultural programming while strengthening connections across the community. This new role marks an exciting development for ArtSpring, as the first time in the centre’s history the executive and artistic directors’ roles have been separate.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rainbow Robert to ArtSpring,” said Susan Tinker, President of the Board of Directors. “Rainbow has extensive experience and knowledge of the BC arts sector, and a strong skill set in budgeting, financial management, revenue creation and organizational development. The Board of Directors is confident that her skill set is the right fit for ArtSpring as we continue to support the Salt Spring community with innovative arts programming and community access.”

Rainbow Robert has more than 25 years of experience in the arts and culture sector in British Columbia. Prior to joining ArtSpring, Rainbow Robert served as Executive Director of the BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, where she oversaw all operational functions, financial and facilities management and strategic development and planning. She has also served in the role of Managing Director of Artistic Programing at Coastal Jazz and Blues Society, producer of the prestigious Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

“I am deeply inspired to be stepping into the role of Executive Director of ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island”, said Rainbow Robert, “and to contributing to the remarkable momentum that Howard Jang has built.

“Salt Spring Island holds a special place in my heart. It will be an honour to be part of this beautiful community filled with artists and creators, and to serve the local ecology with respect and devotion.

“I look forward to collaborating with the staff and board to nurture space for people of all backgrounds to gather in celebration of arts and culture, in a place that feels like home.”

The appointment follows an extensive search process led by ArtSpring’s Board of Directors and supported by Martin Bragg and Associates, a national executive search and consulting firm.

Current Executive and Artistic Director Howard Jang will be staying on in the role of Artistic Programmer, focusing on artistic programming and creative leadership. The change reflects the increasing complexity of managing an arts organisation, as well as the long-term vision of ArtSpring to develop even more diverse and community-focused programming. Audiences can expect to see Howard’s innovative programming at work when the Fall 2026 season of ArtSpring Presents is announced next month.

“Howard’s contribution has shaped ArtSpring’s identity, and impact and we are thrilled he will continue to guide our programming,” said Ms. Tinker.

Howard added: “ArtSpring has always been strongest when it reflects the creativity, generosity, and spirit of our community. Rainbow Robert’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the organization. Her experience and commitment to the arts and cultural sector makes her a perfect fit. I am thrilled to welcome Rainbow and look forward to working together to build on the momentum, relationships, and artistic vision that have helped shape ArtSpring in recent years.”

JUNE 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in June

ArtSpring gets a little quieter as spring becomes summer – but before we all get fully immersed in outdoor living there’s still plenty of community, connection and creativity to be found within ArtSpring’s (air conditioned…) walls.

Our June events perhaps couldn’t be more ‘Salt Spring’ – from our exceptional GISS dance students to the DAISSI and TJ Beans-supported community potluck and dance with Queer As Folk; the Indigenous Art Show exhibition from Sweetgrass Arts and Music Society; and Salt Spring Forum hosting Adam Olsen to discuss the Cowichan ruling, DRIPA and more.

Not to mention the we’re gearing up for our our annual Treasure Fair; while Stratum runs in the Gallery; and there’s a moving tribute to the Black soldiers of BC in the theatre.

Treasure Fair

We’re 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!

Volunteer support needed

We’re also on the look-out for two more volunteer roles. One is a Daytime Box Office Volunteer, just two hours a week. The other role is an Archives Volunteer – compiling articles about what’s on at ArtSpring. If you’d like to find out more, please email Megan, our Box Office and Volunteer Manager at megan.w@artspring.ca.

Welcoming our new Communications Manager

We’re delighted to welcome Jane Shaw as our new Communications Manager – and also want to acknowledge how grateful we are to our Front of House Manager, Megan Warren, who has done an incredible job of covering this role for the last few months.

An experienced communications professional, Jane was drawn to both Salt Spring and ArtSpring by community and community building – she is a fervent believer in the importance of the arts in helping us all build and find community. Please do say ‘hello’ if you’re at ArtSpring and you see Jane – she’s always keen to hear what people want to gain from ArtSpring.

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

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

APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in April

From the homegrown brilliance of our Salt Spring Community Showcase to the Cheng² Duo’s powerful musical dialogue, our April lineup is a celebration of the eclectic. Whether you are drawn to whimsical storytelling by local legends or the sophisticated fusion of classical masterworks and modern jazz, this month’s programming serves as a vibrant spring awakening that honours the immense talent and restless curiosity that defines our island’s creative fabric.

On April 17th, the Salt Spring Community Showcase spotlights six phenomenal local acts in a program born from the success of ArtSpring’s 25th Anniversary. Curated by the RoundTable committee, the evening features Wesley Hardisty’s traditional Northern, Métis, and West Coast contemporary fiddling, Matthew McKinney’s folk storytelling, a special snippet of GISPA’s The Little Prince, Tangle McClaren’s driftwood puppet show How the Whale Brought the Rain, singer-songwriter Lisa Maxx’s soulful “The Whole World Needs a Lullaby,” and a spirited Newfie-Irish folk music celebration from Marilyn Walker and Edgar Hann. Join us to celebrate these local performers and help us turn the Showcase into an annual tradition.

On April 28th, the Cheng² Duo brings the fire with their JUNO-nominated sibling act. Bryan (cello) and Silvie (piano) Cheng have performed together for nearly their entire lives, resulting in an intuitive musical relationship that makes every piece feel like a living conversation. While they are masters of the classical repertoire, the Chengs frequently transcend genre by weaving jazz, poetry, and visual art into a modern concert experience. For this special performance, the duo becomes a trio as they are joined by the legendary clarinetist James Campbell.

Our April calendar is also filled with a rich variety of community and guest presentations, including the Salt Spring Forum’s discussion on the US and the Middle East, the nostalgic sounds of RELICS: Playing the Music of Pink Floyd, and the family-friendly MAGIC! at ArtSpring. Theatre lovers can look forward to Josephine as well as StageCoach Theatre School’s year-end dance recital Lights Up! Let’s Dance! and their production of Shrek the Musical Jr. Additionally, the Salt Spring Island Printmakers take over both our lobby and gallery for all of April, with celebrations, artist talks, and demonstrations peppered throughout the month.

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.

Behind the scenes, we are looking for a creative and strategic storyteller to join our team as ArtSpring’s next Communications Manager. If you have a talent for crafting narratives that move people and want to shape the voice of ArtSpring, we encourage you to apply by Tuesday, April 14th. For full details and application instructions, visit artspring.ca/were-hiring-a-communications-manager.

We are also seeking friendly, outgoing volunteers to join our daytime box office team. As a box officer, you’ll help patrons navigate our season while becoming deeply involved in the local arts community for just one two-hour shift per week. To join the volunteer team, please reach out to Megan Wilson at megan.w@artspring.ca.

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

MARCH 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in March

From the satirical folk-comedy of the legendary Arrogant Worms to the virtuosic, soul-stirring piano of Michael Kaeshammer, our March lineup is a celebration of the unconventional and the uniquely personal. Whether you are drawn to the pulse of a jazz jam or the kinetic energy of contemporary ballet, this month’s programming serves as a vibrant awakening, celebrating the bold voices and restless curiosity of the artists who take our stage.

The Myrtle Sisters take us into the month on March 3rd with their vaudeville-inspired musical comedy Same, Same, Different. When three “identical” sisters suddenly discover their own secret individuality, hilarity ensues as they scramble to hide their differences from one another. Packed with original and vintage tunes, fancy footwork, and uproarious shenanigans, this show is a sparkling celebration of what makes each of us one-of-a-kind. Featuring Candice Roberts, Kat Single-Dain, and Salt Spring’s own Nayana Fielkov, this trio has perfected the art of clowning around in over a decade of outrageous antics.

From March 10th to March 14th, The Ostara Project takes over ArtSpring for a weeklong immersive experience. On March 10th, Ostara and ArtSpring’s RoundTable committee co-present Pecha Kucha, where nine accomplished Salt Spring women share their stories through rapid-fire, 20-slide presentations. Then, on March 12th, join Ostara at Woodley’s for a jazz jam! On March 13th, Ostara’s Documentary Film Night offers behind-the-scenes insight into the making of Ostara’s double-album project Roots & Wings and the lived experiences of women in jazz through three short films. The residency culminates on March 14th with a live performance of Roots & Wings, a deeply personal program that journeys through ancestral connections and creative risk-taking.

The incomparable Michael Kaeshammer returns to ArtSpring on March 19th to tickle the ivories and lift our souls. Known for his glittering charisma, deeply personal musical storytelling, and a masterful collision of jazz, boogie-woogie, pop, and soul, Kaeshammer’s electrifying concerts have made him a Salt Spring favourite. This show is nearly sold out, so book your ticket while you can!

On March 21st, prepare to laugh along with musical comedy masters The Arrogant Worms. Best known for iconic hits like “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” and “Carrot Juice is Murder,” this trio has spent over three decades delighting audiences with music that pokes fun at our “big, dumb world.” Through a seamless blend of folk musicianship and sharp stand-up wit, the Worms prove they are still the reigning kings of “singing songs and yammering on.”

Ballet Kelowna concludes our March lineup on the 23rd with Vividus: Full of Life, a performance defined by explosive athleticism and refined grace. This triple-bill—featuring Vestiges, The Forever Part, and Le Carnaval des Animaux—explores the complexities of human connection and the relentless pulse of existence. It is a striking contemporary production that captures everything from quiet yearning to the explosive, unbridled joy of being alive.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Gulf Islands Families Together Society (GIFTS) to present Working Together: Expression for an inclusive art experience. This special gallery exhibition features the works of participants in the GIFTS art program, which brings together adults with diverse abilities to create vibrant and inspiring visual art. This exhibition runs from March 24th to 29th with a closing celebration on March 28th from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

Community and off-island presentations include the Salt Spring Forum’s Understanding AI: The History, Reality, and Future Impact, Vetta Chamber Music’s Concert 4: A Look to the Future with their Mentorship Orchestra, Completely Creedence Band’s A Tribute to CCR, The Geezers’ Expect Delays, and Between the Mountain and the Sky, a co-presentation from the Circle Education Society and the Salt Spring Film Festival. This month’s lobby exhibition features works from the Salt Spring Painters Guild.

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

FEBRUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in February

February’s ArtSpring Presents lineup is defined by fusion—from a powerful ballet that bridges Coast Salish legend with iconic cantata rhythms to a global soundscape of folk traditions, this month’s programming is designed to surprise. Anchored by an extraordinary week of music and mentorship from Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, our February offerings invite audiences to step away from the expected for a series of performances that promise to awaken and thrill.

We jeté into the month on February 3rd with a sold-out double-bill from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet! T’əl: The Wild Man of the Woods brings to life a Coast Salish legend about a sister’s brave journey to reclaim what was stolen by a shadowy forest figure. The raw, athletic energy of Carmina Burana completes the program, set to Carl Orff’s legendary cantata. Performed by an intimate ensemble of twelve dancers, this pairing promises a night of profound, high-stakes artistry.

Then, on February 8th, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas bring a world of musical tradition to our stage. Tamar Ilana’s vocal and dance artistry was forged on the road; she spent her childhood traveling and performing with her ethnomusicologist mother on field work expeditions. Today, she leads a six-piece ensemble through a cosmopolitan repertoire that spans Sephardic, Balkan, and Mediterranean folk traditions, and beyond. Performing in over 20 languages, Ventanas weaves a tapestry of sound that reflects the vibrant diversity of their hometown, Toronto, and transcends the boundaries of geography, time, and genre.

Finally, from February 16th to 20th, powerhouse soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee takes over for our second immersive experience of the season. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage with a world-class talent whose career defies categorization and whose stage presence is nothing short of transformative.

Measha’s residency kicks off with an open dress rehearsal for Zombie Blizzard on February 16th, with the main concert taking place on February 17th. Searing with feminist fire, Zombie Blizzard is a daring seven-movement song cycle based on the poetry of Margaret Atwood. Measha pairs up with Salt Spring’s own Foothills Brass Quintet for this special performance, bridging international brilliance with local artistry to confront grief, gender, and the human condition.

Then, on February 20th, Measha delivers a life-affirming gospel concert. While world-renowned for her classical mastery, she is equally at home with the raw, emotional depth of spirituals. This performance offers a warm, soulful antidote to the February chill—an evening designed to uplift, connect, and enlighten.

Finally, on February 22nd, Measha leads an exclusive masterclass for six performing artists in any discipline. Each participant will receive a 20-minute one-on-one coaching session to work through an excerpt of their choice with Measha, observed by an invited audience. The deadline to apply is February 7th—apply now at https://artspring.ca/mbl-application/.

Community offerings this month include the 100 Women Who Care meeting and Salt Spring Film Festival’s screening of Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore. In the gallery, we have paintings, drawings, and prints by Ronald Smith.

Interested in getting involved with ArtSpring? We are currently seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our Daytime Box Office and Technical teams. Whether you enjoy connecting with the public or working behind the scenes, we would love to meet you.

Daytime Box Office: These volunteers are the face of ArtSpring! This role involves selling tickets, answering inquiries about ArtSpring events, and supporting box office administration.

  • Commitment: One 2-hour shift per week.
  • Contact: Megan Wilson at megan.w@artspring.ca

Tech Booth: Help make the magic happen in real time! Work alongside our Technical Director to manage sound and lighting for live performances.

  • Commitment: Flexible; based on your availability and show schedules.
  • Contact: Cimmeron Meyer at td@artspring.ca

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER — What’s on in January

Happy New Year! ArtSpring’s January lineup is packed to the brim with music, and we are so excited to dance into 2026 alongside you all. This month’s ArtSpring Presents program soars with a bold new MET production, three powerful Canadian musical ensembles, and a two-night immersive film and music experience to top it all off.

On January 10, we kick off the new year with the MET’s first new production of Bellini’s bel canto classic I Puritani in nearly 50 years. Starring soprano Lisette Oropesa, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, baritone Artur Ruciński, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn, this performance promises tremendous emotional and vocal fireworks as the characters navigate love, loyalty, and madness during the English Civil War. This production marks seasoned set designer Charles Edwards’ MET directorial debut.

On January 17, MET Opera star soprano Mireille Asselin and acclaimed baritone Jesse Blumberg join forces with Victoria Baroque to narrate epic mythological romances through the music of Handel, Purcell, and Rameau. This unique program bridges the gap between the past and present, pairing the ensemble’s signature period-instrument sound with fresh, premiere Canadian works.

Known for high-energy delivery and technical precision, acclaimed string quartet The Fretless hits the stage on January 23. Their signature blend of contemporary soul and ancient fiddle traditions from around the world promises a performance as intricate as it is moving. This show features works from their latest album, Glasswing, which they co-created with singer-songwriter Madeleine Roger.

Acclaimed brass quintet Buzz Brass arrives on January 25 with Famous Inspirations, a high-octane program that reimagines the genius of composers Debussy, Ravel, Liszt, Piazzolla, and Dvořák. This performance strips away the traditional orchestral veil to reveal the rhythmic pulse and vivid tonal shading of works like the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 through the powerful lens of brass.

Finally, we invite you to a landmark two-night experience with composer/director Corey Payette. Join us on January 30 for the breathtaking film adaptation of Payette’s musical Les Filles du Roi. Then, on January 31, Payette will joined by local choirs, special guests, and a small chamber orchestra in Closest Thing To Home, a live concert that showcases highlights from his acclaimed stage musical career. With workshops in costume design and filmmaking, this weekend offers a rare opportunity to connect with one of Canada’s most daring artistic voices.

Community and off-island offerings this month include GISS Theatre’s Peter Pan, Salt Spring Film Festival’s screening of Everest Dark, Candy Roberts’ Larry, and Vetta Chamber Music’s Concert 3–Music to Warm the Heart–Piano Trios.

To everyone who donated to our 2025 Annual Appeal, thank you. Your generous support keeps the theatre doors open and allows us to showcase incredible talent from near and far. To those who missed the campaign and would still like to support ArtSpring, don’t worry! Though it is too late to receive a 2025 tax receipt, we gratefully accept donations year-round. For more information, please visit artspring.ca/donate.

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER — What’s on in December

Can you believe 2025 has nearly come to an end? It has been an absolutely incredible year here at ArtSpring, and we owe so much of our success to you. From a triumphant Treasure Fair to bustling community dances and sold-out performances, we truly could not have done it without the support of our wonderful donors, volunteers, and, of course, audiences. Thank you for all you’ve done this year and throughout our 26 years of art, conversation, and community.

Even as the year winds down, we still have much to look forward to! We’ll be keeping the season bright with three ArtSpring Presents performances, a MET Opera screening, and a host of seasonal community shows.

On December 2nd, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra dazzles with a rare matinee concert featuring an orchestral adaptation of the Goldberg Variations. Classical music lovers and new listeners alike will be entranced by the elaboration of this solo keyboard piece into a dynamic wind-and-string ensemble performance.

Musical-lovers, mark your calendars! After spending the summer off-Broadway, Bear Grease the Musical takes the stage on December 8th and 9th. This all-Indigenous satire of Grease delivers razor-sharp humour and a revamped soundtrack blending hip-hop, doo-wop, and Pow Wow styles. As one of our few theatre features, it promises to be a highlight of the 2025/2026 ArtSpring Presents season.

On December 13th, Giordano’s Andrea Chénier arrives as our final MET Opera screening of 2025. Set against Nicholas Joël’s rich staging, this poignant story of love and disparity is loosely based on the life of poet André Chénier during the French Revolution. Tenor Piotr Beczała and soprano Sonya Yoncheva join forces to bring this passionate tragedy to life.

Between these major events, community presentations abound, including the Salt Spring Film Festival’s screening of Love+War, GISS Music’s winter concert Musaic, and Viva Chorale!’s annual food bank fundraiser concert.

Our 2025 annual appeal is now in full swing. If ArtSpring has touched your life this year, please consider making a donation, no matter the size. Donations are vital, making up nearly half of our budget—they are what keep the doors open, the lights on, and the art flowing into our community. Your support allows us to welcome community events, sustain local artists and art-lovers, and bring world-class talent to our small island.

This year, you can choose to direct your donation in three important ways:

  • General Operations: This fund keeps us running day-to-day, covering essential expenses like utilities, staff and artist pay, and overhead.
  • Theatre Angel Program: This initiative helps eliminate financial barriers by providing subsidized $15 tickets to art lovers, compared to the standard $42 adult rate.
  • Legacy Endowment Fund: A long-term investment that ensures ArtSpring’s financial stability for years to come.

To give, you can visit purchase.artspring.ca/Donations, find us on CanadaHelps.org, or donate in person at the ArtSpring box office. Please note: if you would like a tax receipt for this year, your donation must be placed before December 31st. Please note that ArtSpring will be closed for the holiday season from December 20th through January 4th.

Due to implementation of new financial systems, this year’s Annual General Meeting for the Island Arts Centre Society will be held in February 2026.

We look forward to seeing you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER — What’s on in November

As the days shorten and the winter rains settle in, November brings a vibrant parade of genre-defying events to draw audiences toward the warm ArtSpring lights. Get ready for a month packed with music, reflection, and powerful visual art!

We’re kicking the month off in style with a Halloween Community Dance on November 1st! Creepy crafts, treats, and a costume contest await those who are not ready to say goodbye to spooky season. Break out those dancing shoes for a night of creepy crafts, treats, a costume contest, and live music from Local Motion and Shelder the Electric Clamfish.

November’s musical offerings span eras and genres, ensuring there is something on stage for everyone. 88 Strings: Crossover pulls together Chinese, Persian, and Western plucked instruments to immerse audiences in “plucked string heaven.” Two-time Polaris Prize winner Jeremy Dutcher brings us “moment-defining” sound that moves between grand piano, operatic tenor, jazz, and traditional Wolastoqey song. Then, Take This Waltz: Celebrating the Music of Leonard Cohen dances our audience through a dynamic artistic journey featuring theatrical reimaginings of iconic songs like “Hallelujah” and “Dance Me to the End of Love.”

Following up on last year’s powerful Remembrance Day portrait series, What These Eyes Have Seen–Witness to War takes over the gallery to spotlight veterans with strong Salt Spring ties. This exhibition features two special remembrance events, with an opening night of storytelling on November 6th and an evening of documentaries and live music on November 9th.

Also in the gallery, Vox offers a snapshot of how ten contemporary Canadian photographers employ portraiture, landscape, and social commentary to interpret life in uncertain times.

Finally, two MET Operas will light up our screen live from New York this month. Puccini’s La Bohème takes us to bohemian Paris on November 8th, and Strauss’ classic romantic comedy Arabella sweeps us off our feet on November 22.

Between all of this, our calendar is filled with exciting community and off-island presentations from the Salt Spring Forum, Salt Spring Island Foundation, Salt Spring Film Festival, Viva Chorale!, Makana Youth Choirs, and Vetta Chamber Music.

We’re so excited to share this month of art with you. See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER — What’s on in October

Happy October! Our 2025/2026 ArtSpring Presents season is in full swing, and this month’s calendar is jam-packed with film, theatre, and music from our 100% Canadian lineup.

After two sellout years in a row, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival returns on October 10 and 11 with a fresh collection of films packed with adventure and stunning landscapes from around the world. This festival has too many amazing films to settle for just one screening–that’s why we’re hosting two showings with completely different sets of films including award-winners and audience favourites.

On October 14, classical piano master Angela Cheng will dazzle us with her show Prisms. As one of the most highly acclaimed pianists in Canada, Cheng performs regularly with virtually every orchestra in the country and instructs across the globe. Don’t miss this special opportunity to see a national treasure in our intimate setting.

Then, on October 17, actor-dancer-director Hiromoto Ida returns to our stage with his play, Vacant Lot. This piece centres on a long-married couple visiting the empty lot where their family home once stood, inviting audiences to reflect on the ache of impermanence, the fragile passage of time, and what it means to exist despite it all. (ArtSpring audiences might remember Ida from his play, Birthday Present for Myself, which featured in our 2023 season.)

For our last ArtSpring Presents show of the month, we have comedian and author Michael McCreary’s Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic on October 24. Part storytelling, part stand-up, this show takes the audience on a hilarious and poignant journey through McCreary’s life on the spectrum–a touching story of personal triumph with a deadpan delivery.

Beyond our main season, you can also catch exciting performances from local and off-island artists this month. The Great Divide: Canada’s Tribute to The Band will get the house rocking, while The Geezers’ Expect Delays promises to take us on a comedic joyride through the literal and metaphorical potholes of island life.

Salt Spring Film Festival’s Best of the Fests series opens on October 1 with Home is the Ocean, which follows the adventures of a family raising six daring, precocious kids on a sailboat in the open ocean. Then, on October 29, Have you Heard Judi Singh? spotlights the compelling life and career of Judi Singh. This Canadian jazz trailblazer of mixed Black and Punjabi heritage broke the mold playing to sold-out crowds in 1950s/60s Edmonton, but the music industry failed to elevate her to the level of stardom that she deserved.

The Met Opera’s Live in HD season opens on October 18 with Bellini’s La Sonnambula, starring soprano Nadine Sierra as the titular sleepwalker. Tickets are now on sale for all six of this year’s Met Opera performances. As always, warm quiche awaits at intermission.

In the gallery, the Salt Spring National Art Prize (SSNAP)’s Parallel Art Show (PAS) is on display until their closing gala and awards ceremony on October 18. After SSNAP, the Salt Spring Spinners and Weavers Guild will take over with their annual fall exhibition and sale, featuring a colourful and eclectic array of textile art by Salt Spring’s premier fibre aficionados.

We’re too excited about this announcement to wait for next month’s newsletter! On November 1, we are hosting a Halloween Community Dance alongside the Salt Spring Arts Council and StageCoach Theatre School. Keep your costumes out, because this party kicks off with a costume parade before Shelder the Electric Clamfish and Local Motion take the stage to help us dance the night away. With an all-ages costume contest, spooky crafts, and lots of treats, get ready for a frightfully fun night of Halloween hijinks.

ArtSpring is on the lookout for more volunteers! Currently, we are especially in need of pre-show box officers and concession managers. Volunteering with us is a great way to meet people, support our community, and see some fantastic shows. To join the team that brings every performance to life, please reach out to Megan Warren (Front of House Manager & Coordinator of Volunteers) at foh@artspring.ca.

See you soon at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring