ArtSpring newsletter – What’s on September 2022

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer. After a relatively quiet couple of months it feels good to see more events coming up in the theatre – a great start to what’s going to be a very busy season.

Broadcaster, musician, and author Grant Lawrence kicks off September with an evening of stories, songs, and musical friends. ArtSpring presents a special rough cut performance from CAMP dance collective at the end of their week-long residency with us. And there are two documentary movies this month – the Dosed filmmakers return, and there’s a film fundraiser event about the transformational power of yoga.

There’s also a big art fundraising event in the galleries – for the SSNAP Parallel Art Show – and the lobby exhibition for September sees new work from the Island Textile Artists.

We’re releasing details of our own ArtSpring Presents 2022-23 season next week. Don’t forget to buy your annual membership to get advance purchase on new season tickets. Also next week, tickets go on sale for the return of the Met: Live in HD opera broadcasts.

I look forward to seeing you in the theatre soon.

With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE


Grant Lawrence and Friends – An Evening of Stories and Songs
Fri Sep 9 | 7:30pm
Bestselling author, broadcaster, historian, and humourist Grant Lawrence returns to Salt Spring with special musical guests, including Tom Hooper and Phöenix Lazare.
 

CAMP dance collective rough cut
Fri Sep 16 | 5pm-6pm
At the end of a week-long residency, artist-run dance collective CAMP will be sharing what they have been working on in a short rough-cut performance, with audience Q&A.
 

DOSED 2: The Trip of a Lifetime – with filmmaker Q&A
Sat Sep 17 | 7:30pm
Laurie, a loving mother of four, is granted the right to legally use magic mushrooms to treat her end-of-life anxiety. Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
 

The Circle – documentary film fundraiser
Fri Sep 23 | 8pm
A film about the transformational power of yoga in curing drug addiction in the street children of Mumbai. Followed by a Q&A with Yogi and priest, Fr Joe Pereira.
 

EXHIBITIONS


Island Textile Artists – Embracing Nature
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Sep 1-28 | 10am-1pm, and before all theatre events.
The Island Textile Artists present an exhibition of work offering hope for our blue planet earth. Through their textile art they offer motivation to embrace nature for the beauty and health she provides.

PAS 250 – The Parallel Art Show fundraiser
ArtSpring gallery
Fri Sep 2 – Mon Sep 5 | 10am-4pm
Support Southern Gulf Islands Artists. Take home an original work of art.
The Salt Spring National Art Prize Society invites you to PAS 250—The Parallel Art Show fundraiser!
 

THE MET: LIVE IN HD


We’re excited to bring back live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera. This thrilling new season starts Saturday October 22 with Cherubini’s Medea.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday August 30 – 10am in person or by phone, and from 1pm online.
 

ARTSPRING MEMBERSHIP


Show your support for your community performing and visual arts centre by purchasing an annual ArtSpring membership. Members get advance purchase on the 2022-23 ArtSpring Presents season.

Individual memberships cost $30 and Couple’s memberships are $50, per year.
 

VOLUNTEER AT ARTSPRING


Are you looking for a fun way to engage with the ArtSpring community and give back? We’re looking for volunteers for our upcoming season.

From ushering at shows, to box office help, to billeting visiting artists, there are volunteer roles to fit just about everyone. Build skills, meet like-minded people, and enjoy great perks.
Visit artspring.ca/volunteer or email megan.w@artspring.ca to find out more.

ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s On August 2022

I hope you are having a wonderful summer. It might be a quieter month on the ArtSpring stage, but behind the scenes we’re keeping busy preparing for the ArtSpring Presents 2022-23 season. I’ll be able to give you a sneak peek of what will be in our new season in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait to share it with you.

This month the much-loved Salt Spring Chamber Music Festival faculty is back for two special concerts. Kai Gleusteen, Paula Kiffner, Amy Laing, Catherine Ordronneau, Paule Prefontaine, David Stewart, and David Visentin will be on stage on two consecutive nights, with a pre-concert talk before both.

Another regular visitor to ArtSpring is artist Johanna Hoskins. She has new work in a month-long exhibition – a feast of mixed media pieces grace the walls of our lobby in August.

Lastly, please join me in congratulating the Treasure Fair team, led by Catherine Griffiths, for their fantastic fundraising work. We reached 120% of our target. It was truly a joy to watch the community come together to support ArtSpring. Thank you if you were one of the silent auction item donors, a bidder, or helped in any way to contribute to the success.

I look forward to seeing you in the theatre soon.

With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE

Salt Spring Chamber Music Festival
Concert one – Deeper
Fri Aug 12 | 7:30pm
The faculty of the Chamber Music Festival presents a program of Debussy, Schnittke, and Beethoven. With a pre-concert talk at 7pm.

Salt Spring Chamber Music Festival
Concert two – Deepest
Sat Aug 13 | 7:30pm
The faculty of the Chamber Music Festival presents a program of Shostakovich, and Brahms.
With a pre-concert talk at 7pm

 

EXHIBITIONS

Johanna Hoskins – Playing With Paper and Other Things
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Aug 2-31 | 10am-1pm, and before all theatre events.
“It’s all about textures, colours, and shapes. Add in a variety of mediums, surfaces, and found objects – and then the fun begins”. Johanna Hoskins

 

VOLUNTEER AT ARTSPRING

Would you like to join our fabulous front of house team for the new season? We’re always looking for new volunteers to help in the theatre or in the box office. Full training is given for every role, and there’s lots of flexibility with your volunteer commitment.

Please get in touch with our Front of House Manager & Co-ordinator of Volunteers Megan Wilson (250.537.2102), or fill in the Volunteer Form on our website. We look forward to meeting you.

ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s On June 2022

With our theatre full of high school performing art, and our lobby and galleries fit to bursting with island visual artists, it’s going to be a busy month at ArtSpring. Please come out and support the youth of the GISS, SIMS and GISPA music and theatre programs. We also have a visit from Shane Koyczan, the celebrated international spoken word artist, and the wonderful 100 (and growing) Women Who Care are back to raise funds for one fortunate island charity. Plus, three art exhibitions this month to keep you coming back to the galleries and lobby.

We have a couple of changes this month if you’re attending a show or exhibition. From June 1 face masks will no longer be mandatory at ArtSpring for anyone attending a theatre or gallery event. ArtSpring staff and front-of-house volunteers will continue to wear masks, and we do recommend and appreciate our patrons wearing them whilst in the building.

And the upper parking lot will now be open for live event parking only. It will be locked at the end of a performance so don’t forget to collect your vehicle immediately after a show.

My thanks go to the tireless Treasure Fair team who are currently working hard to bring you a wonderful in-house and online fundraising event this July. There’s still another month left to make a donation, or to join the event volunteer team – please visit treasurefair.artpring.ca to find out how you can support us.

With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE

GISS and SIMS Music Presents
To The Moon
Wed Jun 1 | 7:00pm
A year end music showcase featuring the many talents of GISPA Music, GISS Choir, GISS Jazz, and SIMS Jazz.

Shane Koyczan
Sat Jun 4 | 7:30pm
Shane Koyczan, International Spoken Word Artist, returns to the ArtSpring with a show that promises to be moving, hilarious, challenging, provocative, and inspirational.

GISPA Presents
Moby Dick
Wed Jun 8-Fri Jun 10 | 7:30pm
An alluring adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic Moby Dick, which features original choreography, music, hand-made puppets and a script adapted by the students.

GISS Theatre Presents
Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon
Thu Jun 16 | 7:30pm
GISS Theatre 11/12 class presents the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. These classic stories are turned on their heads in a fast-paced, rollicking ride.

100 Women Who Care
Wed June 22 | 6-8pm
Presentations from three local charities, with the successful candidate receiving close to $20,000 collected from a membership of almost 200 women, each pledging $100.

 

EXHIBITIONS

Jeanne Lyons Explorations
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Jun 2-Jul 8 | 10am-1pm, plus during gallery exhibition open hours, and before all theatre events.
Jeanne Lyons is pleased to share her explorations on a variety of themes through paintings, mixed media, prints and carvings.

Photosynthesis
ArtSpring gallery
Fri Jun 3-Fri Jun 17 | daily 10am-4pm (no opening reception)
The members of Photosynthesis are excited to be back live in the ArtSpring gallery after two long years, presenting a leading-edge photography show as part of Salt Spring Fotofest 2022. Come and see their work live and up close.

Salt Spring Painters Guild Summer Show and Sale
ArtSpring gallery
Sat Jun 25-Tue Jul 5 | daily 10am-4pm (opening reception Sat Jun 25, 1-4pm)
In this, their 50th anniversary year, the eclectic mix of artists of the Salt Spring Painters Guild are looking forward to sharing a celebration of joy in their art with Islanders and visitors.

 

FUNDRAISING

Annual silent and live auction fundraiser Thursday July 14-Sunday July 17

CALL FOR DONATIONS
The Treasure Fair team is looking for donations to fill the silent and live auction catalogues, and help raise vital funds for ArtSpring.

Maybe you have some furniture, art, outdoor or household items you’d like to pass on for others to enjoy? We are seeking high-quality pieces, items of value or interest, in good to excellent condition. Gift certificates and experiences are also very gratefully received.

If you have something to donate you can do so quickly and easily using the Item Donation Form on the Treasure Fair website. We are accepting donations until Friday June 24.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
Would you like to be part of the Treasure Fair event team this year? The team is looking for volunteers to help with: setting up the displays, bid monitoring (helping patrons make their bids online), and event takedown. If you’d like to help please email treasure@artspring.ca

ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s On May 2022

Our own ArtSpring Presents season comes to a close this month. I’m so happy that we’ve been able to complete all of the scheduled program. Thank you to everyone who has supported the 2021-22 season – it’s been wonderful to see audiences coming back to live performances.

We have lots of community artists on stage this month. Beloved island performers Christina Penhale and Jeffrey Renn bring us a celebration of love and Shakespeare, followed by a celebration of nature from the Salt Spring Singers. We welcome back the Salt Spring Forum for another fascinating community discussion, and our own Makana Youth Choir shows us what they’ve been learning this year with their end-of-term concert. Visual art is courtesy of the Salt Spring Printmakers, who have a month-long lobby show of fine art prints.

We’re particularly thrilled to have Peggy Baker join us at the end of the month. Long heralded as one of the most outstanding and influential contemporary dancers of her generation, this is one of the last chances to see her on stage before she closes her company at the end of the year. Please don’t miss it.

With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE

ArtSpring Presents
Christina Penhale and Jeffrey Renn – Lovin’ Shakespeare
Fri May 6 & Sat May 7 | 7:30pm
A celebration of love through some of Shakespeare’s most iconic love scenes and characters.

 

Salt Spring Singers Spring Concert – Nature Sings
Sat May 14 | 7:30pm
Sun May 15 | 2pm
The Salt Spring Singers present a delightful collection of choral pieces celebrating the earth.

 

Salt Spring Forum
COVID-19. Two Years On
Sat May 21 | 7:30pm
Dr Kevin Patterson and Aletha Humphreys look back at their observations on COVID-19, two years on from their original Forum discussion in March 2020. PLEASE NOTE: proof of vaccination required for this event.

 

ArtSpring Presents
Peggy Baker Dance Workshop – FluxDelux
Wed May 25 | 5-7pm
A ​no-experience-required ​participatory performance event​ ​for people from ages​
9 – 90+​.

 

ArtSpring Presents
Peggy Baker Dance Projects – unmoored
Thu May 26 | 7:30pm
An emotional and autobiographical ‘dancestory’ from one of Canada’s most acclaimed contemporary dancers.

 

ArtSpring Presents
Makana Youth Choir Concert
Fri May 27 | 7:30pm
The young singers of the Makana Youth Choir present their end-of-term concert. Directed by Caroni Young, and accompanied by Shirley Bunyan.

 

EXHIBITIONS

Salt Spring Island Printmakers Spring Show
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, May 3-30 | 10am-1pm, and before theatre events.
During the month of May, the Salt Spring Printmakers are pleased to present a show of fine art prints. Participants work in a wide variety of printmaking mediums, each piece a handmade, unique work of art!

 

YOUTH

ArtSpring Presents
Makana Youth Choir
Fridays, Jan 28-May 27 | 3:30-4:30pm
Young singers – grades 2-5 – meet weekly to learn to sing together, with a focus on harmony, blend, and balance. The term ends with a concert on stage at ArtSpring. Director Caroni Young.

 
 
 
ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring Newsletter – What’s On April 2022

I want to thank the community for the recent, overwhelming support of our extension to the face mask requirement. We’ll be updating you again soon as we head towards the province’s proof of vaccination end date of April 8.

This month ArtSpring welcomes musical artists from near and far, both geographically and musically. We bring you performances of contemporary Canadian folk and roots music, and a recreated songbook from the Spanish renaissance. And a visiting theatre company goes even further back, with a full stage production about Cleopatra’s time in exile.

As I get to know the island, I’m taking great pleasure in discovering the diverse local artists and craftspeople, and so it will be a treat to have five of the guild groups all exhibiting under one roof over the Easter weekend. And you also have an additional month to enjoy the lobby exhibition from one of those guilds – the Salt Spring Painters.

I hope you can join us for wonderful live performance, and beautiful art.
With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE

OCE Stage Productions presents
Cleopatra, Queen of Exile
Sun Apr 3 | 2pm
This full theatre production tells the story of Cleopatra’s exile to the desert and her struggle to raise an army to retake her throne. Directed by R. David Simpson.

 

ArtSpring Presents
The Fretless
Thu Apr 7 | 7:30pm
Two fiddles, a viola, and a cello used to sparkling effect to transform fiddle tunes and folk melodies into intricate, beautiful, high-energy arrangements.

 

ArtSpring Presents
María Cristina Kiehr and Ariel Abramovich
Fri Apr 29 | 7:30pm
Argentinian soprano Kiehr and vihuela player Abramovich play works by 15th and 16th century Spanish composers.

 

EXHIBITIONS

The Guilds Of Salt Spring Show and Sale
ArtSpring galleries
Thu Apr 14 | 1pm-4pm
Fri Apr 15 – Mon Apr 18 | 10am-4pm
Five guilds – pottery, basketry, photography, weaving and spinning, and painting – join together and present a show and sale of their finest works.

 

Salt Spring Painters Guild
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Apr 1-29 | 10am-1pm, and before evening concerts.
Painters Guild members exhibit their recent artistic explorations. Expect style or thought experiments, daring forays into new territory, self-indulgences, and whimsical wanderings.

 

YOUTH

ArtSpring Presents
Makana Youth Choir
Fridays, Jan 28-May 27 | 3:30-4:30pm
Young singers – grades 2-5 – meet weekly to learn to sing together, with a focus on harmony, blend, and balance. The term ends with a concert on stage at ArtSpring. Director Caroni Young.

 
 
 
ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s on March 2022

It’s been wonderful to meet so many of you recently, both at events here at the theatre or connecting personally. I’m certainly beginning to feel very much at home.

Following the recent lifting of indoor event restrictions we have taken a big step in opening up our own season’s events to full capacity. The Michael Kaeshammer concert this weekend is the first 259-seat / sold-out event in two years. Thank you so much for your support, and for continuing to do your part in keeping your fellow concert-goers safe and comfortable.

Some of our rental clients this month have chosen to keep their events at 50% capacity. Please check in with the box office if you have any questions about these events, or any others throughout the remainder of the season.

We’re so pleased to be the venue this year for the return of the Salt Spring Film Festival – a great line-up of world-class documentaries not to be missed. I’m looking forward to my first experience of this much-loved community event. This is followed by a variety of exciting live events – chamber music from our friends at Vetta, the return of Indigenous dance company Dancers of Damelahamid, audience favourites The Comic Strippers, and a special tribute to Beethoven’s early works, hosted by musician and impresario George Zukerman.

With so many excellent cultural events – including a lobby show by the Salt Spring Painters Guild – I hope to see you at ArtSpring soon.
With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director, ArtSpring

IN THE THEATRE

Salt Spring Film Festival
Tue Mar 1-Sun Mar 6 | 4pm and 7pm (50% capacity)
Our island’s documentary film festival returns with two must-see, award-winning films a day for six days. Plus filmmaker guests in attendance.

 

Vetta presents
Bassoon!
Mon Mar 21 | 7:30pm (100% capacity)
An evening of fun and the unexpected, with Michelle Mares (piano), Ingrid Chiang (bassoon), and Joan Blackman (violin). Beethoven, de Falla, Glinka, and Ravel.

 

ArtSpring Presents
Dancers of Damelahamid – Spirit and Tradition
Wed Mar 23 | 7:30pm (100% capacity)
Leading Indigenous dance company, with a story of ecological sustainability told through Coastal masked dances, projected imagery, soundscape, and LED puppetry.

 

The Comic Strippers present
The Improvisers
Sat Mar 26 | 7:30pm (50% capacity)
A dressed-up new show from some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians, taking suggestions and creating comedy sketches right before your eyes.

 

ArtSpring Presents
The Young Beethoven
Sun Mar 27 | 2:30pm (100% capacity)
Created and hosted by Canadian bassoonist George Zukerman, this special program features works all written before Beethoven reached the age of 30.

 

EXHIBITIONS

Salt Spring Painters Guild
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Mar 2-30 | 10am-1pm, and before evening concerts.
Painters Guild members exhibit their recent artistic explorations. Expect style or thought experiments, daring forays into new territory, self-indulgences, and whimsical wanderings.

 

YOUTH

ArtSpring Presents
Makana Youth Choir
Fridays, Jan 28-May 27 | 3:30-4:30pm
Young singers – grades 2-5 – meet weekly to learn to sing together, with a focus on harmony, blend, and balance. The term ends with a concert on stage at ArtSpring. Director Caroni Young. Register through the box office.

 
 
 
ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s on February 2022

I’m so pleased to be here and to be introducing my first What’s On newsletter. Thank you for the very kind welcome I’ve received at ArtSpring. I look forward to connecting with more of you at our events and in the community. If you see me around town, please say hi.

My thanks also go to Cicela Månsson. I am one of the many beneficiaries of her wonderful artistic programming – not least the ArtSpring Presents performances this month from pianists Angela Hewitt and Michael Kaeshammer.

 
 

As we remain under important and strict guidelines from Dr Bonnie Henry with limiting theatre capacity to 50%, we are so grateful to Angela Hewitt for offering a second performance so as many people as possible can experience her tremendous artistry. Please don’t miss the chance to see one of the world’s leading pianists on our intimate stage. And we await a further public health update about venue capacity to know if we’re able to offer more tickets for Michael Kaeshammer.

As you may have read, the proof of vaccination requirement for attending events at ArtSpring has now been extended by the province to June 30, 2022. This is for all theatre and gallery events, for everyone age 12+. Thank you to our front-of-house teams for looking after the safety and comfort of our patrons and our community.

And from February 1 we are extending our box office hours to include Friday mornings, 10am-1pm, and resuming our pre-show box office service, which will open one hour before showtime.

Have a wonderful month everyone. Stay safe and I look forward to seeing you at ArtSpring soon.

With thanks,
Howard R Jang
Executive & Artistic Director
ArtSpring

LIVE ON STAGE

ArtSpring Presents
Angela Hewitt
Thu Feb 10-Fri Feb 11 | 7:30pm
We welcome one of the world’s most acclaimed pianists for two performances. February 11 is sold out but tickets are now available for Thursday February 10.

 

National Stage Company of Canada
Prelude To A Kiss – The Music Of Ella Fitzgerald
Sun Feb 13 | 2pm
An unforgettable show of popular jazz standards and ballads made famous by the ‘first lady of song’, Ella Fitzgerald.

 

ArtSpring Presents
Michael Kaeshammer
Sat Feb 26 | 7:30pm
Known for his thrilling, unpredictable live performances, this unparalleled pianist returns to ArtSpring with a dizzying show of jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, and stride.

 

EXHIBITIONS

Looking Up 7
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Feb 1-28 | 10am-1pm
and before evening concerts.
The seventh co-display by long-time friends, painter and printmaker Suzanne Prendergast and photographer Bill Underwood.

 

YOUTH

ArtSpring Presents
Makana Youth Choir
Fridays, Jan 28-May 27 | 3:30-4:30pm
Young singers – grades 2-5 – meet weekly to learn to sing together, with a focus on harmony, blend, and balance. The term ends with a concert on stage at ArtSpring. Director Caroni Young.
Register through the box office.

 
 
 
 
 
ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

A fond farewell to Cicela

We said a fond farewell last week to Cicela Månsson, who had been ArtSpring’s Executive & Artistic Director since 2014.

At the first ArtSpring Presents concert of 2022 (a beautiful performance by violinist Chloe Kim and violist Joanna Hood), our board president, Sandra Heath, made the presentation to Cicela, thanking her on behalf of the ArtSpring and Salt Spring Island community. It was an emotional evening for all, with a standing ovation for Cicela from everyone in the audience.

Cicela then handed over to our new EAD, Howard R Jang.

Thank you Cicela for your tireless championing of ArtSpring, the many wonderful seasons you curated, and the unending support to the staff, board, and volunteers. You will be much missed.

Photos: Ronald Dyck

ArtSpring newsletter – What’s on January 2022

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season. Even the best laid plans go awry. We had been planning to travel to be with family in Ontario this Christmas but decided that now was not the best time to go. Staying at home gave us the opportunity to connect with friends, decorate our own tree, and just generally slow down from the pre-holiday rush. Not to mention do a little baking!

It certainly feels very strange to be writing this final monthly What’s On newsletter. It’s always been exciting to see the range of performances and exhibitions coming up over the span of a month, and I’m so pleased I’ll still be on the island to enjoy them. I’ll be here at ArtSpring for another couple of weeks, and will be welcoming the new Executive & Artistic Director, Howard Jang, on January 17. I know you’ll make him feel very welcome.

We have other changes we hope to make in January. As well as opening up theatre seating to 100% capacity from this month, we are extending our daytime box office hours to Tuesday-Fridays 10am-1pm, and we plan to reintroduce our pre-show box office service. Details will be on our website and social media, so do look out for updates.

Thank you as always for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at ArtSpring in January. Have a very happy new year.

With thanks,
Cicela Månsson
Executive & Artistic Director
ArtSpring

LIVE ON STAGE

GISS Theatre
The Addams Family Musical Comedy
Thu Jan 6-Fri Jan 7 | 7:30pm
Sat Jan 8 | 2pm
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED – RESCHEDULED DATE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

 

GISS Dance
New choreography
Wed Jan 12-Thu Jan 13 | 7:30pm
GISS Dance presents an end-of-semester show of new student choreography. Come and join these vibrant and energetic teens and enjoy the ride!

 

ArtSpring Presents
Chloe Kim and Joanna Hood
Thu Jan 27 | 7:30pm
BC-based violinist Chloe Kim and violist Joanna Hood present a program including works by Michael Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert.

Viva Chorale!
Awake and Dreaming
Sat Jan 29 | 7:30pm
Sun Jan 30 | 2pm
Songs that walk the boundaries between dreams and reality, songs that will get your toes tapping and your heart pumping.

 

Vetta Presents
Ian Parker and Friends
Mon Jan 31 | 7:30pm
Ian Parker (piano) and friends Joan Blackman (violin), and Zoltan Rozsnyai, (cello), with a program made for lovers of classical music.

 
 

EXHIBITIONS

The Salt Spring Photography Club
ArtSpring lobby
Tue-Fri, Jan 5-31 | 10am-1pm
and before evening concerts.
This show is an opportunity for Photo Club members to submit any image they want to exhibit, without the constraints of size or subject matter.

 
 

ArtSpring acknowledges the unceded territory and the ancestors of Salt Spring Island, the Coast Salish First Nations peoples of Salt Spring and surrounding areas, who continue to use and steward these lands. We at ArtSpring wish to pay respect to the Elders of this land, past and present.

ArtSpring announces next Executive & Artistic Director

December 8, 2021

The Board of the Island Arts Centre Society (ArtSpring) is very happy to announce the appointment of Salt Spring resident Howard Jang as ArtSpring’s next Executive & Artistic Director.

Howard Jang is a senior arts and cultural leader with over 30 years’ experience running large arts organizations in Canada. He will assume this position in early January 2022, taking over from current Executive & Artistic Director, Cicela Månsson.

Walter Stewart, President of the Board, notes that the search for a new EAD attracted applications from across North America and Europe. “We were bound that we were looking for the best candidate regardless of that candidate’s location. It was a real joy to discover that the best candidate was right in our midst, having moved to Salt Spring a little more than a year ago. Howard brings an extensive and varied background in arts and arts facility management with a real commitment to the place of the arts in the community. He has an extraordinary network in the arts right across Canada and beyond which will benefit ArtSpring and its service to Salt Spring Island. One person we talked to said, “Anywhere in the arts in Canada, the name Howard Jang is gold.”

Howard Jang started his career in New York City before moving back to Vancouver in 1989, first as Orchestra Manager of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and then Executive Director of Ballet BC. Further Executive Directorships followed at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Arts Club Theatre Vancouver. More recently Jang has been Director of Simon Fraser University Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, and Vice President Arts and Leadership at the Banff Centre.

“I am thrilled to be joining ArtSpring as their next Executive and Artistic Director, and to build upon the tremendous foundational and organizational work of Cicela,” said Howard Jang. “When my wife, Alexandra, and I moved to Salt Spring last summer, we were attracted to the breadth of the artistic and creative community and intuitively felt that ArtSpring would be a home for us. I am looking forward to working with such a committed team and Board of Directors, and excited to be given this opportunity to contribute to such a vibrant organization inspired by place.”

The board and staff look forward to working with Howard in the post-pandemic renewal of ArtSpring’s service to the community, and in driving that service to new levels of support for artistic expression on Salt Spring Island.

 

About ArtSpring

ArtSpring is a community performing and visual arts centre on Salt Spring Island, B.C. – one of the Southern Gulf Islands off Canada’s west coast. The building boasts a 6,600-square-foot, 259-seat theatre, and a 5,200-square-foot exhibition/multi-purpose area. Artists Birgit and Robert Bateman officially opened the building in April 1999.

ArtSpring hosts 300 events each year, primarily associated with rentals by local performing and visual artists of all ages. Our curated season of professional touring artists – ArtSpring Presents – features events that are chosen to complement and enhance what is already available through local arts organizations.