Celebrating Gaia Series 2026: The Seasons with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir
Saturday June 6, 7:30 at Christ Church Cathedral.
together with
For the Seasons an installation of artworks upstairs at the New Jerusalem Chapel
​by Siobhán Humston, May 30-June 7, curated by Farrah O'Shea
​

 Siobhán Humston, New Jerusalem Chapel, May 29, 2026

Peter Butterfield, St. Mary's Church, May 27, 2026

​Quote from Robert Davidson, Haida artist
Art is a gift from the spirit world,
when we crystallize these ideas…we are giving birth to new images…new ideas…new directions…

Forging new ideas and directions from gifts of the spirit is a key goal of the Celebrating Gaia project. The project culminates in April 2028 with “Earth”, Luke Jerram’s breath-taking illuminated sphere floating near the ceiling of Christ Church Cathedral. Seeing the beauty and fragility of our planet viewed from space can trigger a strong emotion called the “overview effect”. Astronauts often experience this when first viewing our glowing blue ball set against the vast blackness of space. The sight triggers a sense of awe and urgency to protect our precious and vulnerable home.

​The Celebrating Gaia Series hopes to encourage people to become active change-makers in our society. Arts groups, including dance, music and theatre are collaborating with nature groups to present multi-dimensional experiential events. These innovative events are designed to inspire and motivate practical actions to protect and enhance our environment, now under threat from climate change. The series is sponsored by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund through the Victoria Foundation and in partnership with Creatively United for the Planet Society.

Winter Bones Wood, wire, bones, berries, ceramic discs 12″ x 12″ x 7.5″ 

Mandala Spring, wood, ceramic discs, wasp nest, wasp, wire 12″ x 12″ x 3.5″

One unique collaboration involves the Victoria Philharmonic Choir (VPC) and visual artist Siobhán Humston. The VPC presents Joseph Haydn’s The Seasons on Saturday June 6, 7:30 at Christ Church Cathedral. Haydn’s spectacular oratorio, conducted by Peter Butterfield, features orchestra members and soloists Jennifer Turner, Isaiah Bell and Stephen Hegedus. The soloists portray three rural folk (a farmer, farmer’s daughter and her suitor) supported by the lively chorus of villagers. Their stories, set in Austria around 1800, come alive through the poetic libretto, which connects the seasonal power of nature with the cycles of human life.

In the photo above, Peter Butterfield, Director of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, leads a practice at St. Mary’s Church in Oak Bay. His successful career includes vocal studies and choral experience in Europe, along with international renown as a featured soloist. Brushing aside past glories, he says the thing he enjoys most about directing an 80-person choir is the sense of community it offers. The benefits of being part of a social and professional network are huge, he notes. “I sang in this church as a boy, and now I live just down the road,” he says. Butterfield believes The Seasons, first performed in 1801, still speaks to audiences. He praises the descriptive music and vivid images that tell stories about nature and life using humour and pathos.
​

Summer Palace, wood, reclaimed screen, yarn, vellum, wire, butterfly 12″ x 12″ x 12″ 

Detail from Collage: MAP with overlayed branches

Visual artist Siobhán Humston responded to The Seasons by creating For the Seasons. For the Seasons is an installation of artworks at the New Jerusalem Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral, May 30 - June 7, 2026. The exhibition includes sculptures, drawings, photography and collage, all honouring our place in the natural world. Humston’s art practice combines themes of nature, entanglement, music and synesthesia. While working on sculptural pieces for this show, she listened to Haydn’s The Seasons for inspiration. She believes that listening to music brings images, thoughts and feelings together, connecting the whole circle of our senses. “We are part of nature, everything is interwoven and entwined,” she says.

Humston has ears well-tuned to classical music plus singing abilities. She attended a choir and orchestra school in London Ontario for four years, studying piano and violin. As well as being a classically-trained musician, Humston has an impressive CV. Since graduating with a BFA in Ireland (1991) she has achieved international acclaim with awards, artist residencies and over 70 group and solo exhibitions.

Collage: photography and drawings adhered to paper ground, 5x7 feet

Graphite Drawing on Paper, 5x7 feet, metal rods for install.

Siobhán Humston communicates her personal message about artmaking with this signature: “Imagination is Everything” (Einstein)
The artist often works with found and recycled materials, so honours the importance of allowing time to wander, collect, imagine and contemplate. “I am a creative conduit for the spirit of nature,” she says. Humston explains that her relationship with the natural world can feel, at times, like entanglement. In her work, she must relinquish control to understand the meaning and significance of certain found objects. I just sit with them, or let them be,” she says “until the significance reveals itself - or stays silent.”

​With this same spirit in mind, the artist offers two workshops for exhibition guests. Her workshops involve careful looking and responding through mark-making and the written word. During viewing hours, docents and dedicated members of local nature groups will be on hand to interact with guests. Please view the link below for details about the VPChoir. 

Website for VPChoir is: HERE

​​Web Design and Content by Kate Cino.  
​Arts writer published in Focus, Yam, Boulevard and Monday Magazine.
History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria. 
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