On May 18th, 2013 Robert Bateman and Birgit Freybe Bateman welcomed Prince Andrew, the Duke of York as the first official visitor to The Robert Bateman Centre.
His Royal Highness toured the galleries, spoke with students from the Salt Spring Island Middle School about their love of nature, and attended a small gathering of community members engaged with in-nature education initiatives.
The City of Toronto Names the Robert Bateman Urban Nature Trail
On May 7 2013 the City of Toronto and the East York Community Council passed a motion to name an existing 18 kilometer urban trail after the legendary naturalist, educator, and Toronto raised artist, Robert Bateman.
The Robert Bateman Urban Nature Trail proposed by Toronto Trails Festival director Tom Fiore, and recommended by City Councillors Joe Mihevc and Josh Matlow connects existing green spaces through Forest Hill, Deer Park, Casa Loma, South Hill, Annex, Allenby, Cedarvale, Chaplin Estates, Bennington Heights, Moore Park, Rosedale Glen Park. “It was along this trail, in the ravine behind Robert’s Chaplin Crescent childhood home, where he first became captivated by nature – we are absolutely thrilled that the City has taken this bold action to encourage Torontonians out into the nature just beyond their backyards”, says Paul Gilbert, executive director of the Bateman Foundation.
City Councillor Joe Mihevc enthusiastically supported the proposal affirming that “Robert Bateman has given of his time, his art and financially to many Toronto causes supporting conservation and nature education. We are pleased to have the opportunity to name the trail after Robert Bateman – a national treasure and favourite son of Toronto”. The trail system will both connect green spaces throughout midtown Toronto into a recreation area for residents to enjoy, and commemorate a remarkable midtown-born artist who’s internationally recognized for his work.
While this naming will not change any of the existing names of parks and ravines along the trail, it is just the first step in enhancing the trail experience and conserving and protecting its ecosystems. “We are looking forward to working with City staff and community members to implement a mobile app that will allow users to hear Robert tell stories about the birds, animals, and geography of the trail. Our hope is that users will also contribute content and share their nature stories”, says Paul Gilbert.
Medium and long-term improvement announcements are anticipated over the next year.
Robert Bateman named Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Artist of the Year
March 5, 2013 – Stonewall, Man. – In celebration of Ducks Unlimited Canada’s (DUC) 75th anniversary, world-renowned wildlife artist and dedicated conservationist Robert Bateman has been selected as the 2013 Artist of the Year.
As a long-time DUC supporter and lifelong conservationist, Bateman was a natural fit for the role. For 30-plus years he has continually shown his commitment to wetland conservation by providing signed, limited edition prints that have raised funds to conserve Canada’s marshes and ponds.
“We are excited and honoured to have Robert Bateman featured as our Artist of the Year,” said Scott Baker, national manager of retail programs for DUC. “Over the past three decades, Ducks Unlimited Canada has been fortunate to work with such an outstanding nature artist who understands the need to conserve the natural areas that inspire his work. Robert Bateman is a conservationist in every sense of the word, and we applaud him for choosing to pick up a paintbrush and do what he loves as a way to give back to nature.”
Bateman has been a talented and devoted artist and naturalist since his childhood. Today, he is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed artists depicting the natural world. His DUC-exclusive painting, Tranquility, shows a group of pintails and mallards enjoying a relaxing morning in a wetland habitat, and it is just one example of the level of talent and skill that Bateman brings to every piece he paints.
Artists and wetlands have had a long-standing connection. For more than 30 years, nature artists have participated in the National Art Portfolio (NAP) – a unique DUC program designed to present the very best in wildlife art while raising funds that help protect the natural spaces that are crucial to all Canadians. The selected artists have their artwork made into limited edition prints and are given national exposure through DUC fundraising auctions.
Throughout 2013, DUC will celebrate its diamond anniversary. To honour 75 years of conservation excellence, a number of activities and initiatives have been planned, including a series of “gala style” events where Tranquility will be available. Prints are also available through DUC’s Sealed Bid Auction program at over 3,000 locations across Canada. For a complete list of program and artist information, visit ducks.ca/nap.
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. Learn more at ducks.ca.
A high-quality image of Bateman’s Tranquility is available. For more information, please contact:
Amanda Hope, a_hope@ducks.ca
Communications Coordinator, Fundraising
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Phone: (204) 467-3225
Robert Bateman Returns to Support Artists for Conservation
Artists for Conservation (AFC) is the world’s leading group of artists supporting the environment. Join Robert Bateman for this 2nd annual Artists for Conservation Festival at both the Gala preview fundraiser on October 12th and the public opening, the following day. The 10-day event will bring out leading nature and wildlife artists from around the world, immersing visitors in art and nature through workshops, film, and a world’s top conservation-themed art exhibit of 90 original paintings and sculptures. All artwork sales benefit conservation.
Founded in 1997, the non-profit organization comprises a membership of 500 of the world’s most gifted nature artists from 27 countries, across five continents. Dedicated to nurture, promote and leverage its world-class community of artists in support of our natural world, AFC drives its mission through three key programs: Art & Environmental Education; Field Work & Research; and Artist Development. The Artists for Conservation Festival is AFC’s annual flagship initiative to showcase, support and further these programs. For more information, visit http://www.artistsforconservation.org.
Just fifteen minutes from downtown, Grouse Mountain is Vancouver’s premiere attraction, with panoramic views of the city, ocean and beyond. Grouse Mountain offers a host of year round outdoor activities as well as dining, gift shops and the Theatre in the Sky. Grouse Mountain also manages a Refuge for Endangered Wildlife that includes three wolves and two orphaned grizzly bear cubs. The Refuge is also an active participant in the North American Hummingbird Monitoring Network and the Northern Spotted Owl captive breeding program. Grouse Mountain prides itself on running a sustainable “green”business, and is an Oceanwise certified partner. www.grousemountain.com
The Bateman Foundation & Harbour Authority Agree to Terms of Lease
Exciting New Opportunties for the Bateman Centre
The Bateman Foundation is pleased to announce that the art of Robert Bateman will be showcased at the CPR Steamship Terminal in Victoria BC following a deal signed between Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) and the Bateman Foundation. Under the terms of the agreement, which is subject to final lease negotiations, the Robert Bateman Centre (Centre) will make its home in the historic CPR Steamship Terminal situated on Victoria’s scenic inner harbour. The building will house a 5,000 sq. ft. gallery as well as educational and office spaces on the third and fourth floors and a retail store on the Belleville street level. The Centre’s renovation period will start on August 1, 2012 and is targeted to complete and open the gallery in the spring of 2013.
“Needless to say this is a dream come true, but it is far beyond any wildest dreams I could imagine,” said Robert Bateman. “The location and the building are beautiful but it is the opportunity to share a lifetime of joy in nature that is the real value. Birgit [Bateman's wife] and I are leaving our visual legacy to this place. But perhaps more important will be the ideas and thoughts created here about humanity’s connection to nature. This connection is more important now than it ever has been”.
“Signing the Robert Bateman Centre is a significant milestone for the CPR Terminal revitalization initiative,” said Curtis Grad, GVHA President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are honoured to have such a renowned artist showcased in this iconic heritage building. The gallery will welcome local residents and visitors alike, breathing fresh new energy and vitality into the Belleville Street precinct”.
The Bateman Foundation will use the power of Robert Bateman’s art to inspire individuals, and particularly urban youth, to become personal change agents in how we treat our planet. We are about art, about leadership, about engagement and about action. Through this new Robert Bateman Centre in Victoria and this website, the Bateman Foundation will have a strong base from which to grow its programs nationally and internationally. “We will continue our very active collaboration with Royal Roads University in environment and sustainability education and research,” said Executive Director, Paul Gilbert, “this new location helps us add other strategic partners to the team including the Canadian Wildlife Federation “Learning Institute”. The Centre’s sustainability goals fit well with GVHA’s ambitions for the CPR Terminal to function as a sustainable and publicly accessible celebration of Victoria’s marine past and vibrant future.
To find out how you can contribute to a lasting legacy of environmental education and sustainability contact us at admin@batemanfoundation.org.
About the CPR Steamship Terminal
The CPR Steamship Terminal building is a historic Victoria landmark on the Inner Harbour. The neo-classical structure was designed by Francis Rattenbury, architect of the nearby Legislature Building and the Empress Hotel, and P. Leonard James. The CPR terminal was constructed in 1924.
In 2009, the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC), with contributions from the Provincial and Federal governments, invested $5 million in seismic and building system upgrades. In late 2011, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority was selected by the PCC, through a competitive process, to revitalize this iconic harbour-front building, recruit a dynamic mix of sub-tenants and restore the facility to its former grandeur. In addition to attracting local residents, GVHA aims to leverage and optimize traffic flows generated from nearby ferry and cruise ship operations to ensure long-term commercial viability and sustainability achieved through a careful balancing of commercial and civic/public uses.
About Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA), www.victoriaharbour.org, is a not-for-profit corporation governed by a local Board of Directors. It owns and operates deep water, marina and upland holdings throughout Victoria’s harbour including the large vessel Ogden Point port facility, Victoria’s renowned Fisherman’s Wharf, and the inner harbour’s luxury yacht and marine tourism facility at Ship Point. GVHA’s vision is a harbour where people live, learn, work and play; a spectacular gateway into Victoria’s past and into its future, monumental in look and feel, linking communities and all people together.