THE ART OF ADVENTURE
November 2nd at 7pm Victoria Hall, Cobourg
An Evening of Film & Conversation
Film Access Northumberland (FAN) invites you to The Art of Adventure: An Evening of Film & Conversation, an inspiring celebration of art, exploration, and environmental stewardship.
The evening features a screening of the acclaimed documentary The Art of Adventure, which follows world-renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster as they embark on an ambitious global expedition in 1957 aboard their Land Rover, The Grizzly Torque. Their remarkable journey became the catalyst for a lifetime of conservation advocacy, demonstrating the powerful role that art can play in protecting the natural world.
Following the screening, audiences will enjoy a live conversation with director Alison Reid, moderated by acclaimed CBC radio documentarian and author Karin Wells.
The evening serves as a fundraiser for Film Access Northumberland's First Takes youth program, which provides free filmmaking education, mentorship, and creative opportunities for high school students across Northumberland County.
Film lovers, artists, conservationists, educators, students, and members of the public are invited to attend this memorable evening of film and conversation.
The Film…
In 1957, renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman and spirited biologist Bristol Foster set out on a global expedition in a rugged Land Rover they call “The Grizzly Torque”. Starting in the UK, their travels take them to the far corners of the earth. From the lush rainforests of the Congo to the vibrant landscapes of India, Bob paints the wonders they encounter, while Bristol films on his 16mm Bolex camera. Fifty-seven years later, the abandoned Grizzly Torque is rediscovered. As its hidden history emerges and a new owner restores it to its former glory, the tale of their environmental activism through art and science unfolds.
Robert McLellan Bateman - Wildlife Artist, Naturalist
Robert Bateman was born in Toronto and earned a degree in geography from the University of Toronto before teaching high school for 20 years, including two years in Nigeria. A 1957–58 around-the-world journey deepened his appreciation for cultural and natural heritage. In 1976, he left teaching to pursue painting full-time, travelling widely with his artist and conservationist wife, Birgit, before the family settled on Salt Spring Island in 1985.
A lifelong artist and naturalist, Bateman has always focused on wildlife and the natural world. His artistic journey moved through representational painting, impressionism, cubism, and abstract expressionism before returning to realism in his early thirties—a style that would establish him as one of the world’s most celebrated painters of nature. His work gained major recognition in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to museum exhibitions across North America, including a 1987 exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution, as well as the touring retrospective The Art of Robert Bateman.
Beyond his art, Bateman is recognized for his lifelong commitment to conservation and environmental education. His books, films, and television appearances have introduced millions to his work, while his artwork and limited-edition prints have helped raise millions of dollars for conservation efforts. Among his many honours are appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada and numerous honorary doctorates. Through his art and advocacy, Bateman continues to inspire a deeper connection with the natural world, reflecting his belief that “the crowning beauty is the natural world” and that his life’s purpose is to understand and express it through painting.
Bristol Foster - Biologist, Naturalist
Bristol Foster is a naturalist, conservation biologist, documentary filmmaker, and educator with a PhD in Ecology and more than 40 years of experience. His distinguished career includes serving as Head of the Wildlife Ecology Graduate Studies Program at the University of Nairobi, Director of the Royal British Columbia Museum, and Director of British Columbia’s Ecological Reserves Program.
A graduate of the University of Toronto, Bristol developed an early passion for Arctic biology and went on to study rare mammals before completing his PhD on the evolution of native mammals of Haida Gwaii. He later travelled through Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia with wildlife artist Robert Bateman, spent five years leading wildlife ecology studies in Kenya, and co-authored a definitive book on giraffes.
Returning to Canada, Bristol dedicated his career to conservation, protecting British Columbia’s temperate rainforests, establishing ecological reserves, and creating wildlife documentaries around the world. Through his science, storytelling, and advocacy, he has become a respected voice for the protection of the natural world.
The Conversation…
Alison Reid - Director, Producer
Alison Reid is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker known for stories of adventure, exploration, and the human spirit. Cobourg filmgoers may remember Alison from The Loft Cinema in January 2019, where she discussed her acclaimed documentary The Woman Who Loves Giraffes alongside the film’s subject, Anne Innis Dagg.
After a groundbreaking career as a stunt performer and one of North America’s first female stunt coordinators, Alison founded Free Spirit Films to create bold, character-driven stories. Her debut feature, the LGBTQ2+ comedy The Baby Formula, opened the Mannheim Heidelberg Film Festival in 2008 and screened worldwide. She went on to direct and produce The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, which earned multiple Best Film and Audience Awards, received a wide theatrical release, and was praised by publications including The New York Times, Variety, and The Washington Post.
Alison’s newest feature documentary,The Art of Adventure, celebrates the transformative 1957 journey of wildlife artist Robert Bateman and biologist Bristol Foster. Already earning awards and enthusiastic audiences on the festival circuit, the film continues Alison’s passion for highlighting inspiring Canadians and extraordinary true stories.
Karin Wells, Moderator
Karin Wells is an award-winning Canadian journalist, author, lawyer, and documentary producer whose career has taken her around the world telling stories about human rights, social justice, and Canadian history. A longtime CBC Radio producer, her documentaries have earned national and international recognition, including multiple Canadian Association of Journalists Documentary Awards.
Wells is the author of several acclaimed books, including The Abortion Caravan: When Women Shut Down Government in the Battle for the Right to Choose, More than a Footnote: Canadian Women You Should Know, and Women Who Woke Up the Law: Inside the Cases that Changed Women's Rights in Canada. Through her writing, she brings to light the stories of remarkable women who helped shape Canada’s history.
Based in Port Hope, Ontario, Wells continues to write and speak about the people, events, and movements that have transformed Canadian society, combining her legal expertise with her passion for storytelling.
Our Cause
It’s for the kids!
This evening is a fundraiser to support FAN’s First Takes program, an initiative that brings the art of filmmaking into local high schools by providing emerging student filmmakers with the opportunity to learn, create, and share their stories. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and access to professional guidance, First Takes encourages young people to explore their creativity while developing valuable skills in storytelling, collaboration, and media production.
By supporting First Takes, donors help ensure that local students have the tools, resources, and encouragement to bring their ideas to life and see themselves represented on screen. The program is an investment in the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers in our community.
Stories have the power to change how we see the world… This evening celebrates a remarkable Canadian epic while helping inspire the next generation of storytellers.
Thank-You to Our Sponsors…
We couldn’t make a scene without you!
We extend our sincere thanks to this evening's sponsors for their generous support. Your commitment to arts, culture, and emerging filmmakers makes programs like First Takes and events like tonight's fundraiser possible. Your partnership helps inspire the next generation of storytellers, and we are truly grateful for your support.
Reserve Your Tickets!
DATE: Monday, November 2, 2026
TIME: 7PM
DOORS: Doors open at 6:30pm
Be sure to come early and bid on our curated Silent Auction!
Visit the Victoria Hall Box Office to reserve your tickets…