Bateman Gallery Scraps Admission, Offers Therapeutic Art

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The Bateman Gallery in downtown Victoria is scrapping admission fees and introducing free programming to support mental wellness.

The gallery, established by wildlife painter Robert Bateman in 2012, says it is responding the rise in anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moving forward, admission will be by donation. As well, a free drop-in therapeutic art program will let participants use different materials to create what they wish. An art therapist will be on site to offer assistance. Sessions are open to community members regardless of age, background, gender identity or artistic ability.

"The drop-in program is a place to express your unique creativity and find support in each other, through community, in these difficult and isolating times," the gallery says.

Drop-in therapeutic art sessions happen twice weekly: Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. All materials are provided and no appointment is necessary.

Two shows are currently on view at the gallery: The World of Robert Bateman, and Thomas D. Mangelsen’s A Life in the Wild, a collection of wildlife photography from across the globe.

For more info go to, batemanfoundation.org/drop-in-therapeutic-art-sessions/.

Source: Bateman Foundation