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’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

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

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

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

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

As we head into the Labour Day Long Weekend, there is something in the air with the start of September. Back to school. Back to getting organized and new beginnings — including at ArtSpring.

Our fresh new 2025/26 Season Event Launch was yesterday, and it officially goes on sale for members Tuesday September 2, and then for the public Tuesday September 9. It’s not too late to renew or purchase your Membership by August 31 to enjoy the immediate benefit of one week advance ticket pre-sales.

This may well include tickets to ArtSpring Presents’ first concert of the season — the wonderful Charles Richard-Hamelin, one of Canada’s most celebrated pianists. He is the first in a line-up of ALL CANADIAN ARTISTS this season. Please note ticket prices of $42 for adult and $10 for youth have been updated to now include GST so everything is more simple and convenient when purchasing tickets.

Also new, a legacy of our 25th Anniversary Celebration, ArtSpring’s RoundTable Committee is debuting its first season of six community-based showcases, dance parties, learning and talent nights. Organized by a robust volunteer group of local artists and advocates, the committee enhances ArtSpring’s public programming by engaging with and celebrating community spirit through the arts in welcoming ways.

Its first presentation is this September featuring a celebration of Indigenous and Métis artists in the Sweetgrass Arts & Music Indigenous Showcase. Tickets now on sale, and we hope you join us for this exceptional presentation. The RoundTable Committee is always looking for new vibrant volunteers with ideas and commitment to enhance our community.

September is also the time for new exhibitions, Salt Spring Forum, a visiting Tom Petty tribute and the sounds of Morocco and Flamenco from Caravan World Rhythms. Vetta is back with a beloved season launch, and Makana Youth Choirs opens its doors to a new season of vocal practice and harmonic fun for grades 2-9. Register by September 12.

This year, we are so pleased to announce co-Season Partners Island Savings and Ganges Village Marketplace as our lead sponsors in supporting ArtSpring in its mission to enrich, uplift, and connect the community through arts and culture. Thank you!

See you for a new season at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

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August is here, and it is now a bit of a summer breather for ArtSpring Presents as the last show of the season was the Treasure Fair concert — Zachary Stevenson’s “Dead Ringer,” a high-energy, sold-out, dancing-in-the-aisles celebration to close the 2024/25 Season.

Thanks to our generous donors and auction bidders, the Treasure Fair raised $105,000 this year, and we are so pleased Carol Brown’s beloved Steinway piano found a new home here on Salt Spring.

As we gear up for next season, August showcases the best of local painters, photographers, and artists in lobby and gallery exhibitions, as well as a Salt Spring Forum presentation of author and speaker John Valliant addressing his case study of the Fort McMurray wildfires.

Now is the time to buy or renew your ArtSpring Membership as you will want to be first in line to buy your favourite seats for the 2025/26 Season. Our launch event is August 28, where I will walk you through the highlights of the season. and our brochures will be hot off the presses. Tickets open to members September 2, then open to the general public September 9.

The event is free, and we will be sending out an invitation to join us.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

BUY TICKETS

Of course the big ArtSpring event of July is our much-anticipated annual Treasure Fair Fundraiser July 16-19, with the online catalogue going live on July 2. With donated items at another all-time high, the community has responded with enthusiasm and generosity to towards supporting our fundraising goals. Thank you.

This year the headliner item sure to get attention is the generous donation from Carole Brown of her 2004 Steinway & Sons Grand Piano. It was an emotional and difficult decision for her to part with such a beautiful and meticulously maintained piece, and we are truly honoured she decided to contribute it to our cause. A very meaningful gift indeed, and we hope it finds a home where it can shine.

We encourage everyone to register to bid, and by doing so, you are invited to our Sneak Peek Preview Gala just prior to the auction going live. Every year, our tremendous Treasure Fair committee of volunteers work tirelessly to assemble a museum-quality exhibition of all items up for auction in the ArtSpring Gallery.

This year, the committee has decided to bring back a “blast from the past.” Ten new items per day from July 17-19 will only be available by silent auction in ArtSpring’s Jankura Lounge through old-fashioned paper bidding. Visit the display, linger for coffee, place your bid, re-visit in time for final bids, and the winner is declared at 3pm each day.

The rationale from the committee? In this digital world, let’s bring back a human connection component. A reason for people to meet and mingle and discuss. To welcome bidders who may not have access to or feel comfortable with technology. We are creating an opportunity to help include everyone.

ArtSpring is also excited to announce our not-to-be-missed Treasure Fair concert “Dead Ringer” on Friday July 18, starring Zachary Stevenson. Those of you who remember his sold-out Buddy Holly tribute in our 2023/24 Season will recall what nostalgic fun that concert was. We invite you to return again and dance in the aisles.

From community and visiting productions, ArtSpring welcomes Land & Lineage on July 4 from The Imaginelle Mystery School and Naomi Jason and our local Painters Guild is back with their beloved Summer Show and Sale.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

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June celebrates a change of pace as we ease into the summer season on Salt Spring.

Except for Treasure Fair’s July 18 marquee concert Dead Ringer starring Zachary Stevenson, the ArtSpring Presents 2024/25 Season has officially come to a close.

Don’t miss getting your tickets to Dead Ringer, as Zachary was a sold out hit at ArtSpring in 2023 with his Buddy Holly show. This time the repertoire widens to include Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, and other nostalgic favourites for a fun and memorable evening.

In June, the spotlight is on school and community-driven performances from GISS Dance, an original theatrical play from local Wendy Judith Cutler, a hot-topic speaker forum, an original comedic cabaret from our own technical director Cimmeron Meyer with an all-star local cast, and arts programming that celebrates National Indigenous History Month.

We are also pleased to announce we have our headliner Treasure Fair item, generously donated by Carol Brown — a beautiful, meticulously maintained 2004 Steinway & Sons Grand Piano that is looking for a new home with music lovers who will truly appreciate it. If you have inquiries in advance of the auction, please contact us and we’d be happy to help.

See you at ArtSpring!

Howard R. Jang

Executive & Artistic Director

ArtSpring

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