Island Mountain Arts
Island Mountain Arts is a non-profit society dedicated to promoting the arts and artists in Wells and beyond. Its aim is “to improve the artistic and financial well-being of artists by offering a learning environment within a day’s travel of most places in B.C., to increase the level of respect and appreciation for art and artists, and to integrate culture into all possible areas of society.” Island Mountain Arts achieves its goals and mandate, in part, through offering a variety of arts programs and events. Some of these include operating a public gallery/artisan gift shop featuring the work of local artists, a school of the arts featuring courses in visual, literary and the performing arts, the Toni Onley Artists’ Project and the International Harp School. Island Mountain Arts also runs the ever-growing ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art, featuring tons of music & workshops, visual art installations, plus the One Minute Play Festival, as well as the Northern Exposure Conference. Since 2014 it has even operated an artist-in-residence program.
Island Mountain Arts is a member of the Wells Chamber of Commerce, Studio 2880, the Prince George Community Arts Council, the Canadian Museums Association, Folk Music Canada and the Central Interior District Arts Council (CIRAC).
Meet Island Mountain Arts
Meet Island Mountain Arts
Island Mountain Arts has been operating in the vibrant 1930s gold rush town of Wells since 1977 and is just down the road from Barkerville Historic Town & the Bowron Lakes. Its idyllic setting surrounded by forest, lakes and set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains lends itself naturally to creativity and inspiration. Many artists of all kinds call Wells home, with hundreds more converging on Wells at various times throughout the year to participate in one of Island Mountain Arts' many wonderful arts programs.
Island Mountain Arts is a non-profit society. It is governed by a board of directors made up of volunteers from within Wells and the surrounding region and supported by a membership of more than 100 individuals. Though the group is diverse, it is united in its vision to see arts flourish in the Wells region and to provide high-quality professional art instruction and exposure to people from Wells and beyond.
Though the Island Mountain Arts Society was officially formed in 1977, the Wells/Barkerville area has a long history of dedication and devotion to the arts. Musical and theatre performances entertained miners, business people and citizens during Barkerville's Gold Rush Era. Those traditions live on today in both Barkerville and Wells, thanks in part to those who have helped to support Island Mountain Arts over the years.
Wells, BC V0K 2R0
Hours
Gallery/gift shop open May to September annually
Please contact for hours
