MAY 18-30, 10am-4pm daily | Opening Event MAY 17 4-6pm | CONFLUENCE EXHIBITION: The Bateman Collection. Robert Bateman and Jane Goodall were supporters of each other in their lives and work. In fact, Jane stayed with the Batemans on Salt Spring, and it was quite the story as otters had taken residence under her guest room at the time putting off a remarkable stink. She refused apologies and accepted the otters as they were. Classic. Come learn more and see photos of Jane with the Batemans in this all new exhibit. Coinciding with legendary Canadian artist, educator, and conservationist Robert Bateman’s 95th birthday, comes an extraordinary never-before-seen exhibition entitled Confluence: The Bateman Collection at ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island. While Robert is best known for his prolific body of work of highly realistic depictions of wildlife and nature, wife and artistic partner Birgit Bateman is also a venerable and much exhibited photographer. Together, they have been a life force not only in the art world, but in fundraising for and awareness of environmental causes. Partners in life, in the studio, and in world travels, they have amassed a fascinating private collection of art from fellow artists who inspired the artistry within themselves, as well as cultural artifacts from adventure and advocacy journeys to Africa, Asia, both Poles, and here in the Pacific Northwest. Hundreds of paintings, prints, sculptures, Indigenous pieces, fine art photography, personal family photos and story-filled artifacts have been meticulously curated and are being moved by hand from the Batemans’ home and storage to ArtSpring’s gallery for the first and only time. The exhibition is generously sponsored in part by Seth Berkowitz Photography and curated by Zoe Zafiris-Casey. (fb)

TUE MAY 13 | 7:30pm | $5 youth, $35 adult | $15 Angel Tickets | Vancouver-based Raven Spirit Dance presents Braiding the Land, a trio of performances that follows three powerful female narratives to explore the physical, the spiritual, the rhythms of nature, resilience, and legacy. From the earth to the stars to the innovative collaboration with Indigenous artists in Peru, the evening promises to be an experience to remember. The collection traces the connections between vast ancestral landscapes and our bodies. Unearthed through movement are deep connections to the expansive mountain ranges of North and South America in "Spine of the Mother," the stillness of a winter boreal forest in "Frost Exploding Trees Moon," and the journey of a rushing river in "Confluence.” Raven Spirit creates and produces contemporary dance rooted in Indigenous worldviews, perspectives, and practices. While the medium is contemporary dance, the troupe is known to incorporate other expressions such as traditional dance, theatre, puppetry and multi-media to tell stories that resonate. By sharing this work on local, national, and international stages, Raven Spirit reaffirms the vital importance of dance to the expression of the human experience and to cultural reclamation, while inspiring engagement and dialogue. Thank you to the late Joan Farlinger and Salt Spring Coffee for supporting this performance. Angel tickets while they last -- purchased in person or by phone. (fb)