Bateman Foundation

has been known for the symbolic “lights off” moment for an hour starting at 8:30 PM to show our collective support for the planet. This year, they’re stepping things up and asking that everyone spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet and learning about the world around you.

Here are some of their suggestions for how to participate in this year’s event:

🎧 Listen to a podcast or talk about the planet, such as WWF’s Forces of Nature, BBC Earth’s podcast, or a TED Talk on Conservation
📺 Watch a nature documentary
🍃 Identify the local plants and animals in your neighbourhood, using an app like iNaturalist, Google Lens, or Merlin
🌲 Attend a guided nature walk at a nearby park or nature preserve. We recommend taking a walk at the Gardens at HCP or Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to learn about Victoria’s flora and fauna!

"During the 1980's, it was estimated that thirty-one thousand miles of driftnets were set each night in the Pacific. These drifting "walls of death" captured untold numbers of dolphins, whales, pelagic birds (birds of the open ocean), sharks and turtles, along with the targeted in the Pacific..."- Robert Bateman

💙 On let's bring awareness to our shelled friend by keeping our oceans clean and protecting them.

Robert Bateman. Painted Turtle. 5 x 7 1/2, Pencil on Yupo, 2015.

Rivers are essential to life on earth, and so many animals depend on them to thrive, yet freshwater ecosystems are some of the most threatened in the world.

🖼️ Robert Bateman. Rock in Vanbon River. 1996, Gouache & Alkyd on Mylar, 12 x 8.

Today is World Wildlife Day, a day to celebrate the world's wild animals and plants and their contribution to our lives and the planet's health. This year’s theme is “Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation” to highlight the people who are making a difference for the wellbeing of our planet’s wildlife.

Robert Bateman painted this piece as a retirement gift for Charles de Haes, the Director General of World Wildlife Fund International. To Robert, the painting is symbolic because “it is the habitat, not the panda, which is the central focus. For only by preserving the habitat have we any chance of preserving the panda.”

We encourage you to support organizations and events that are working to preserve wildlife habitats, like World Wildlife Fund, Canadian Wildlife Federation / Fédération canadienne de la faune, the The Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.

🖼️ Robert Bateman. Giant Panda in the Wild. 1993, Acrylic, 16 x 12.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, at least two-thirds of the world's polar bears all live in Canada. But as our planet warms and their home literally melts from under them, polar bears are increasingly at risk.

On International let’s take action to combat climate change. Check out ways you can support the continued efforts of World Wildlife Fund and protect the Arctic’s future 🐻‍❄️ ❤️️

🖼 Robert Bateman. Arctic Family. 1977, Acrylic on Masonite, 20 x 30.

Thank you to the BC Museums Association for their continued support and advocacy for BC's arts and cultural community. ❤️️

Let's keep sounding the alarm. We need to protect and invest in our culture and arts community.

Comment: Why the closure of the Bateman Gallery should worry anyone who cares about museums The closure of the Bateman Gallery is a symptom of a much larger problem

“In 1997, I painted ‘Chief’—American Bison. I gave this—my largest painting ever at 71” x 98”—to the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This seems to be a memorable painting for many people. I based it on a grumpy male bison I saw at Elk Island National Park in Alberta. I tried to get close to it, but when it took two steps towards me, I quickly got back in the car.” - Robert Bateman

We’re so grateful to have been able to share art with the public that holds meaning and memories for so many people. Check out this great photo from our archives of Robert with one of his most well-loved pieces, Chief!

”I called this painting Chief for several reasons. He is obviously a dominant male rushing along, and turning as he goes to confront a potential enemy. Many of the wise old aboriginal chiefs whose lives were linked to the bison were also fierce and powerful. Finally, we had a dear friend, another dominant male who is also departed. His nickname was Chief.”

🖼️ Robert Bateman. Chief. 1997, Oil on Canvas, 72 x 98.

This week, we’re feeling especially grateful for all of the people and organizations who have allowed us to achieve so many beautiful things over the course of our 10 years. The success and achievements of the foundation are a result of the dedicated and ongoing support from our community.

Today’s thanks goes out to our friends and sponsors at the Victoria Foundation. Without them and their support of the arts in Victoria, we would not have been able to put on so much meaningful programming and connect so many people to nature and art.

Thank you ❤️

Thank you for an incredible ten years.

With a heavy heart, the Bateman Foundation announces the suspension of operations. The last day of the Bateman Gallery and shop is February 18th, with free admission to the public and a special goodbye signing appearance by Robert Bateman from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Our board will remain active as it assesses the future development of a sustainable model to deliver the mission of building a strong relationship with nature through the power of art.

Thank you for the incredible support from the community and the members who have helped deliver our mission of building a relationship with nature through the power of art.

You can find the official Bateman Foundation statement http://ow.ly/Iep050MVMcL

Today is your last chance to enjoy a free public tour of the unique exhibits, Robert Bateman: Heart & Home and The World of Robert Bateman.

Join one of our tour guides from 2:00 to 3:00 PM to learn more about the artistic process of the artist you know and love.

Take in the rarely-seen pieces that capture new sides of Robert Bateman’s art and learn behind-the-scenes details about the artist’s life and career. The tour is free with the cost of gallery admission or free for our members.

“Birgit is by my side in life and in work. As she, too, is an artist, I appreciate her thoughts on my paintings and value her critiquing and her intellect. Because of Birgit’s background, especially as an abstract artist, she has an eye for composition, which is important to me. There are so many choices, and I regularly ask her for her opinion. For example, when I was painting a work called Cheetah Siesta, which is three-quarters big, empty sky, I wasn’t sure where to put the horizon. She kept encouraging me to lower it so that the sky would be a more important element and would make more of a statement. Similarly, I’ll often ask about where a bird should feature in my composition, and Birgit will suggest the right balance.” - from Life Sketches by Robert Bateman

After Valentine’s Day, let’s not forget to show love and support to our loved ones. If you’re ever in doubt, take a page from Robert and Birgit and be each other’s biggest fan and inspiration. ❤️️

Swipe to see the Cheetah Siesta piece for yourself to see Birgit’s impact on the painting 👉

📸 Photo from the archives of Robert and Birgit in their element—in life jackets and hip waders while leading an art workshop in the Queen Charlotte Islands (now Haida Gwaii).

❤️ 🎨 Have a loved one who enjoys art, or looking for a thoughtful activity to do together?

Celebrate your love by gifting a NatureSketch class or taking one together. We’re celebrating love with a 15% off sale on all courses and workshops from February 14 to 16!

Apply promo code: valentinesale at checkout 🛒

Pick the perfect course for them at 👉 https://register.naturesketch.org/

❤️ Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a stroll in the Bateman Gallery!

We’re celebrating the day of love with 2 for 1 admission all day long in the Bateman Gallery.

Enjoy quality time together taking in art that celebrates the natural world and connection with others.

Spend a morning or afternoon to kick start your date, or bring the whole family to enjoy free activities creating, drawing, and colouring hearts and love notes in our library 💌

Check out our current exhibits https://batemanfoundation.org/exhibits/

“I think the main, motivating reason for the various creations in many mediums I have made over a lifetime is partly to fulfill the inner desire to explore, to create, and to please other people.

It likely started when I did a painting of an elk at Christmas in 1942 for my mother. I got invaluable encouragement, to which we all naturally respond to. Also, a homemade gift that takes thought and time should be more treasured than something bought in a store or from internet shopping.” - Robert Bateman

📣 Robert Bateman: Heart & Home is coming to a close in just 5 days! Be sure to stop by before this one-of-a-kind exhibit ends and experience Robert Bateman like never before. http://ow.ly/FBRo50MPIx4

For those who live too far to visit, keep an eye out for a virtual tour coming soon to our social media channels.

🖼️ A few of the intimate pieces featured in the exhibit, created by the artist for his loved ones.