Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024

Bruce Rivard show pays final tribute

Salt Spring artist Bruce Rivard is preparing for his final days at Lady Minto Hospital, after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer around six weeks ago.

Friends and family members who are dealing with that fact are also organizing one last exhibition of Rivard’s work, with a legacy show and benefit set to open at Salt Spring Gallery on Friday, June 1.

Rivard’s daughter Grace “Kyle” Budeweit and his friend and former roommate Tomiko Koyama have been at work sorting through Rivard’s large collection at his home and studio, located just next door to the gallery. They will present around 50 pieces to be shown from June 1 to 3. The show reopens for a final day on Tuesday, June 5 and will be capped with a live auction of any unsold works, to be MCed by Dave Phillips.

Sales from the benefit show will help Budeweit, her partner and their infant daughter Quinn, who was born just a few days after Rivard went to the hospital. The family will be responsible for clearing out Rivard’s home and garage along with burial fees, death tax and all the other related expenses. Anything left over will help them with their 10-year plan of buying a small cafe in Courtenay. That’s where they were living before Rivard’s diagnosis came in. 

Though the reason for returning is not ideal, there are positives to spending these last weeks together.

“It’s really nice to come home with his new granddaughter and for him to know I have a really loving partner and his family, who will take care of me in the next phase of my life,” Budeweit said.

The show’s closing reception and auction on June 5 runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Donations can also be made to the family at the gallery, or contact kgbudeweit@outlook.com to help directly.

For more on this story, see the May 23, 2018 issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper, or subscribe online.

 

Sign up for our newsletter and stay informed

Receive news headlines every week with our free email newsletter.

Other stories you might like

Live in Colour artist residency on at Salt Spring Gallery

SUBMITTED BY SALT SPRING GALLERY The newest member of the Salt Spring Gallery — Gillian McConnell — is undertaking a three-week residency in the gallery’s...

Spring art shows abound in coming weeks

Doors are wide open for spring art exhibitions this year after pandemic-forced slowdowns in the past two years. First up this Friday, April 8 is...

Printmaking group shares craft in two shows

Painters’ Guild printmaking group are demonstrating the vast potential for different tools, technique and creativity within the medium at two different shows this month.Impressions...

Bird life brings joy in Janice Parker prints

A whimsical show featuring island birds is just the thing to promote happiness, and viewers can spark their joy by visiting Cut Press Pull...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Weather

Salt Spring Island
overcast clouds
5 ° C
6.8 °
4.3 °
97 %
0kmh
100 %
Fri
7 °
Sat
8 °
Sun
9 °
Mon
10 °
Tue
10 °