ArtSpring

For over 50 years the Salt Spring Painters Guild has provided island artists of all levels with opportunities to learn, teach, meet other artists, and be inspired. Our Annual Summer Show and Sale presents recent works in a wide range of styles and subjects by our diverse and talented members.

My wish is that my work will invoke a sense of calm, familiarity that might rekindle the Love of our World. I wish for the viewer, that you will close your eyes and open your memory to places that you recall from your life: feel the breeze, smell the sea, be grateful for our world and seek to preserve it.

This year’s Annual Photosynthesis Show will open in the ArtSpring Exhibit Rooms on August 26th, with the opening reception taking place Friday, August 28th from 5-7:30 pm. Wine and appetizers will be served with many thanks to our sponsors, Country Grocer and Thrifty Foods. The show runs until September 7th, and exhibit hours are from 10am to 4pm daily. Photographers are on duty during exhibit hours and can answer questions and discuss the artwork with visitors. This is the group’s 26th year and it is always a highly anticipated show of fine art photography created exclusively by Salt Spring photographers. New works will be featured by sixteen regular members plus seven guests. The group also sponsors a student each year. Tell your friends and neighbours. We can’t wait to see you there!

Stephen Cornish has spent a career saving lives around the world: managing humanitarian responses from Chechnya to Sierra Leone, negotiating with warlords to gain access to vulnerable populations, and securing the release of abducted aid-workers. Most recently, Stephen has served as the General Director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Switzerland, responsible for providing more than $350 million of humanitarian assistance annually. A decade ago, Stephen took a break from MSF to serve as CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation, where he helped guide one of Canada’s most influential environmental organizations through a period of growing urgency around climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability. Please join the Salt Spring Forum in warmly welcoming Stephen Cornish, a humanitarian and en

King, Cash, and Diamond Forever is a high-energy tribute show coming to ArtSpring Theatre this September, celebrating three legendary icons of music—Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Neil Diamond. Multi-award-winning performers Darren Lee and Jason Scott lead the experience, delivering authentic, crowd-pleasing performances that capture the spirit and sound of these timeless stars. Darren Lee first steps into the role of Johnny Cash, joined by Jennifer Rae as June Carter-Cash, recreating the warmth and chemistry of the iconic duo. He then transforms into Elvis Presley, bringing the charisma, voice, and stage presence of “The King” to life. Jason Scott rounds out the show with a powerful tribute to Neil Diamond, performing beloved hits that invite audiences to sing along and relive classic

Two of Canada’s finest—Shari Ulrich & The Unfaithful Servants—share the stage for a night of unforgettable acoustic magic. Shari Ulrich has long been considered a legend in Canadian Folk music and The Unfaithful Servants have been heralded as one of Canada’s finest acoustic groups. For this special evening, each artist will perform their own individual sets plus there will be various collaborations throughout the night, bringing these two musical worlds together in an exciting display of Canada’s finest, all on one stage. Shari Ulrich is a multiple Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter and a cherished voice in Canadian folk music for decades. Known for her beloved work as a solo artist and with groups such as The Hometown Band, Pied Pumkin, and collaborative projects with Barney Bentall,

Can we take meaningful action on climate change without damaging our economy? For more than two decades, journalist and author Arno Kopecky has examined the difficult trade-offs that define our relationship with nature. Kopecky has travelled the globe reporting from the front lines of environmental change, asking uncomfortable questions about conservation, climate change, Indigenous rights, and energy. Rather than offering easy answers, he challenges us to think more deeply about what it really means to live sustainably. Arno Kopecky is an award-winning journalist whose work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, The Guardian, The Narwhal, The Tyee, and many other publications. Please join the Salt Spring Forum in welcoming Arno Kopecky for the 2nd annual Derek Lundy Memorial Ev

Few artists capture the beauty, humour, and complexity of modern life quite like Dan Mangan – and with Natural Lights, Mangan returns to his songs-for-the-camp-fire roots. Completely unplanned and recorded over six days by four best buds in a cabin by a lake, Mangan describes it as ‘the most magical album of my life’. One of Canada’s most compelling songwriters, Mangan transforms everyday moments into unforgettable stories, whilst winning two Juno awards and selling out Massey Hall. Creating music that is both personal and relatable, his songs balance vulnerability with wit, exploring themes of family, community, hope, and uncertainty. Mangan makes audiences feel part of the conversation as his warm stage presence and thoughtful storytelling create an experience that is as moving as it is

Vetta proudly celebrates its artistic lineage: Joan Blackman, former Artistic Director for nineteen transformative years, and the esteemed pianist Jane Coop, long cherished by Vetta audiences, share the stage with the Vetta’s newly appointed Artistic Director Hung-Wei Huang in a program that honours the past while heralding a vibrant future. W. A. Mozart | Duo for Violin and Viola No. 1 in G major, K. 423 Leoš Janáček | Violin Sonata W. A. Mozart | Duo for Violin and Viola No. 2 in B-flat major, K. 424 Paul Hindemith | Viola Sonata, Op. 11, No. 4 Jane Coop, piano Joan Blackman, violin Hung-Wei Huang, viola Tickets $36/show | If ALL 5 concerts are purchased at once, $30/show BUY TICKETS

Sid Filkow and Patrick Cassidy take you on a laugh-out-loud visit to the netherlands and its two co- dependent, claustrophobic inhabitants as they struggle to make sense of the blurred, chaotic world outside and cope with the outrageous and impulsive behavior of the neighbour next door. All you ever wanted to know about what goes on in that testosterone-induced region south of the border (and some things you never wanted to know.) Don’t get left holding the bag – get your tickets early! Live on October 2, October 9 and October 10 2026 Tickets $35.00 Canadian and 75.00 US “Tariffs’ BUY TICKETS

What if the mental health symptoms we face are signals that can help us see and solve actual causes? Nationally, about 1 in 5 (or over seven million) people in Canada experience a mental illness or significant mental health issue annually. By age 40, about half of the Canadian population will have or have had a mental illness. Dr. Joanna Cheek sees mental health struggles as symptoms of the imbalances in our wider systems, and works to decrease the stigma that is too often misplaced on the individuals who suffer rather than the ailing society around them. In addition to caring for individuals, she hopes to heal the harmful dynamics of domination, division, and indifference within our collective systems, teaching that collective-care is self-care. Whether or not you or someone you know i

A male stripper parody and improv comedy show The award winning improv comedians are back with a new show, more moves and even quicker wits. A SHOW FOR ALL GENDERS… 19+ ONLY WARNING! No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity. A fictitious male stripper troupe (played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians) performs a sexylarious improv comedy show. They try to be sexy… it just comes out funny. Constantly grooving and gyrating in between scenes they banter with the crowd and perform their hilarious twist on improv sketches. They sing, they “dance”, and they are ready to make you laugh. Semi undressed and completely unscripted, The Comic Strippers take off their shirts and take on your suggestions to create a whole new genre of comedy. ‘BEST LIVE PRODUCTION’ Canadia

Step into the golden age of California rock with Eagle Eyes, a tribute to one of the most legendary bands of all time — The Eagles. Celebrating the timeless songs that defined a generation, Eagle Eyes delivers a concert experience that captures the unmistakable harmonies, musicianship, and spirit of the original band. Eagle Eyes has tour extensively and become the most sought after Eagles Tribute in both Canada & the US. They bring the lush vocal harmonies and intricate guitar work that fans know and love. Every detail — from the tone of the instruments to the layered vocal arrangements — is performed with passion and precision. From the soaring vocals of Hotel California and Take It Easy to the heartfelt storytelling of Lyin’ Eyes, Desperado, and Peaceful Easy Feeling, Eagle Eyes faithf

Vetta presents a remarkable artistic collaboration: violist Jacob van der Sloot, a Vetta favourite and his musical family take on the Vetta stage with Dvořák’s and Brahms’s beloved string sextets. Soaring melodies. Lush harmonies. Chamber music at its most radiant! Antonín Dvořák | String Sextet in A major, Op. 48 Johannes Brahms | String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 18 Maria van der Sloot, violin Sarah Douglass, violin Jacob van der Sloot, viola Grace van der Sloot, viola Sophie van der Sloot, cello Paul van der Sloot, cello Tickets $36/show | If ALL 5 concerts are purchased at once, $30/show. BUY TICKETS

Hung-Wei Huang takes the stage with “Responsibility” in his inaugural recital as Artistic Director in a bold and deeply personal program honouring the artistic future of Vetta. This is his way of carrying that lineage forward while making the music his own. We are also delighted to welcome Vancouver pianist Bogdan Dulu, a former student of Jane Coop, to the Vetta stage. Robert C. Rival | Sonata for Viola and Piano Rebecca Clark | Sonata for Piano and Viola Johannes Brahms | Sonata for Viola and Piano in E-flat major, Op. 120, No. 2 Hung-Wei Huang, viola Bogdan Dulu, piano Tickets $36/show | If ALL 5 concerts are purchased at once, $30/show. BUY TICKETS

Vetta shines a spotlight on the oboe in a program built around its brilliance and expressive power, featuring VSO’s Principal Oboist Joo Bin Yi. Curated by Artistic Director Hung-Wei Huang, this concert brings together masterworks for oboe and strings including Mozart’s Oboe Quartet, Britten’s Phantasy Quartet, and more. Georg Druschetzky | Oboe quartet in g minor Malcolm Arnold | Oboe Quartet Astor Piazzolla | Café 1930 Benjamin Britten | Phantasy Quartet W. A. Mozart | Oboe Quartet in F major Joo Bin Yi, oboe Rebecca Ruthven, violin Hung-Wei Huang, viola Cristian Márkos, cello Tickets $36/show | If ALL 5 concerts are purchased at once, $30/show. BUY TICKETS

In Vetta’s 41st Season finale, music and painting meet in a powerful exchange of inspiration. We will feature works by Raphael Cheng inspired by several world famous paintings. Additionally, we will invite students from local schools to paint newly created artwork inspired by recordings of the Tchaikovsky String Sextet. The paintings will then be displayed at the concerts as we perform this music. Please join us for a collaborative concert where Art answers Art! Raphael Cheng | Works from “Licht und Schatten im Herbst” for Viola and Piano Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky | String Sextet: Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 Joan Blackman, violin Jenny Lim, violin Hung-Wei Huang, viola Peter Ing, viola Joseph Elworthy, cello Zoltan Rozsnyai, cello Raphael Cheng, piano Tickets $36/show | If ALL 5 concerts a