Read on for the Gallery, Artist Projects, Workshops, ArtsWells and Summer Student Opportunities, and don't forget to Renew your Membership - they expire on March 31st! 

It’s one of our favourite shows of the year!

The Wells-Barkerville School show showcases the artwork and artistry of the young people that call Wells home! This show would not be possible without the hardworking teachers and staff at the Wells-Barkerville School!

A huge thank you to the families, friends and kids that made our opening this past week so memorable! The Wells-Barkerville School show runs until March 30th.

Youth and Gallery Programs are supported by the Province of BC

"Wells is currently in the liminal moment before large, gold centred industry fully moves in; and Barkerville is in the liminal space of change from a colonial monument to a site that reflects the greater experience of every person and place that was affected by the sudden and dramatic onset of a gold rush in the early 1860s. Both towns now constantly feel the threat and/or promise of change from industry, wildfires, floods and societal shifts."

In her first gallery show, Liminal: the spaces in between, Wells-based artist Danette Boucher will showcase a collection of pieces she has been making for the past 25 years, examining the special relationship she holds with Wells and Barkerville.

Date: April 26, 2025
Cost: $75.00 + GST
Registration Closes: April 11, 2025
Location: Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery, Wells, BC
More information: www.imarts.com/events/2025/chocolate

Learn how to take cacao beans and transform them into delicious chocolate.
In this hands-on class, you will learn about sorting out bean imperfections, roasting, winnowing and then hand-grind your beans into chocolate that you can take home to enjoy (or enjoy on the spot). On the way, you will also learn about the commercial processing and how different ingredients are added to various grades of chocolate.

About the Instructor
Cocoaro Craft Chocolate began in Wells, BC and was created by independent entrepreneur, Margaret Inoue. The business grew out of Margaret’s passion for food, flavour, social justice and, well, chocolate. It was the intersection where she felt she could make a difference through the business she developed.

Dates: May 17 – 18
Cost: $200.00 or $185.00 for IMArts 2025 Members
Registration Closes: May 1, 2025
Location: Wells-Barkerville School Studios (2nd Floor), Wells, BC
More information: www.imarts.com/events/2025/linocutredux

This workshop is a beginner or intermediate level course for those who want to expand their one colour linocut experience to two or more colours. No prior printmaking experience is required. This process is fun and ensures that each print edition is truly one of a kind and impossible to replicate!

About the Instructor
Mary Anne Molcan is a Canadian visual artist who employs the reductive or multi block processes of linoleum printing to build diverse layers of colour and textures within her work.

Learn more about Mary Anne Molcan.

Dates: July 05 – July 13, with opening gathering the evening of July 4
Cost: $750.00 + GST – Scholarships and Bursaries Available
Applications Close: May 15, 2025
Location: Wells-Barkerville School Studios (2nd Floor), Wells, BC
More information: www.imarts.com/events/2025/toap

About the Program
Since 2000, the Toni Onley Artists’ Project (TOAP) has offered a unique rural residency opportunity for professional and emerging visual artists. We would be delighted to welcome you to our 2025 program, which will run in Wells from July 5 – 13 with mentors Cindy Mochizuki and Sandeep Johal!

About the Mentors
Cindy Mochizuki creates multi-media installation, animation, drawing, audio fiction, performance, public artwork, and community-engaged projects. She has exhibited her work in Canada, US, Australia, and Japan.

Sandeep Johal is a Punjabi Canadian visual artist, advocate, and leader whose practice engages drawing, collage, textiles, and large-scale murals.

This program is Supported by the BC Arts Council and the Province of BC. Learn more about the mentors here.

Dates: August 11 - 15th, 2025
Cost: Regular - $529 + Taxes and Fees

NEWSLETTER READERS - Save $39 until Equinox with the code YEAR39HARP

Payment Plans are available!
Registrations Close: July 1st, 2025. 
Location: Wells-Barkerville School Studios (2nd Floor), Wells, BC
More Information: www.imarts.com/events/2025harp

Join us for the 39th annual Harp School in picturesque Wells, British Columbia. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of harps amidst the backdrop of the Cariboo Mountains.

This 5-day workshop offers expert instruction for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Enjoy morning classes, afternoon workshops, and intimate concerts featuring renowned harpists from around the globe.

With instructors Ailie Robertson (CLASS FULL - Waitlist), Rosanna Chiu (Novice/Intermediate), Sharlene Wallace (Advanced) and Shoshanna Godber (Youth)

This program is Supported by the BC Arts Council and the Province of BC. Learn more about the Instructors here.

Dates: July 19 – July 27, with opening gathering the evening of July 18
Cost: $750.00 + GST – Scholarships and Bursaries Available
Applications Close: May 15, 2025
Location: Wells-Barkerville School Studios (2nd Floor), Wells, BC
More information: www.imarts.com/events/2025/slowprocess

About the Program
Join us for our inaugural artist residency tailored to new and experienced experimental filmmakers working with celluloid film. Set against the backdrop of Wells, BC, this week-long stay offers a unique opportunity to dive into analogue filmmaking with hands-on mentorship.

This self-directed residency allows you to focus on a new or existing project, while receiving personalized one-on-one mentorship from filmmakers who specialize in analogue techniques.

About the Mentors
We are delighted to welcome filmmakers Lindsay McIntyre and Steven Woloshen as mentors for 2025.

Learn more about the mentors.

Early-bird wristbands and camping are on-sale until March 21st, 2025.

We are very excited to announce that we are going ahead with ArtsWells 2025!

This year, the festival will take place on June 27 – 29. We believe these new dates will allow the festival to take place at time when the weather is comfortable in Wells.

We had worked hard to “bring back” the festival last year, presenting a new iteration that we had carefully built and curated.

The postponement of ArtsWells 2024 due to the Antler Creek Wildfire strengthened our resolve to continue. We believe this community and this region deserve an event like ArtsWells, something that celebrates the unique local spirit while inviting artists and listeners to our little town. We’re getting back on the horse and making it happen!

The ArtsWells Festival is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, Creative BC. For an extensive list of 2024 supporters visit www.artswells.com/support

IMA will begin interviewing for 5 - 7 Summer Student positions on March 22nd, 2025 - click the links below to check out the job descriptions! 

Summer Workshop and Arts Education Liaison | Canada Summer Jobs  

Art Gallery Coordinator | Canada Summer Jobs

Festival and Live Events Liaison | Canada Summer Jobs

Social Media and Marketing Coordinator | Young Canada Works

Programs Intern | Young Canada Works

2024 certainly had its ups and downs for the organization, amplified by the evacuation during the Antler Creek Wildfire at the end of July that led to the postponement of our return to the ArtsWells Festival.

To the funders who checked in on us as humans first and as an event second;
To the government officials at the Provincial and Municipal level, Lhtako Dene Nation, and folks living in the District of Wells who answered our calls;
To the businesses that pivoted their sponsorships to help our organization through recovery;
To the generous individuals that donated a portion or all of their wristband fees to the organization;
To the summer staff - An, Annie, Elyssia, Kelk, Jennie, Jessica and Sam - who met the situation with mettle;
To the board of directors who help carry us through all 12 months of the year;
To every pupil + patron, at every age, that joined us for exhibitions, Northern Exposure, i made it through the wilderness, TOAP, Harp School and more;
To all the instructors and Artists that brought their beautiful work to Wells;
And, to all of you, still with us now at the end of this newsletter;

Thank you, from the bottom of out hearts, for your support of IMA through 2024 and beyond.

Island Mountain Arts is a Registered Charity - click the CanadaHelps logo to make a donation today! 

Stay in touch with Island Mountain Arts