The visually stimulating ArtWalk will take place during the ArtsWells Festival at various locations throughout the town, including Wells’ galleries and businesses and will feature local and visiting artists, artisans, and craftspeople.  We invite you to check out the works of these local, regional and international artists. 

See the ArtsWells site map for a self guided tour, taken at your leisure, of these sensory delights.  Or, for a brisk guided tour of the ArtWalk and to be introduced to the art by the artists and curators themselves, please attend the ArtWalk Artist Talk tour Saturday, August 4 from 4:30-6:30 pm starting at Joan Beck’s Pottery.  See schedule below.

ArtWalk Host – Paula Scott

                

Art Rush Gallery
Paul Morel and Ting Yuen opened Art Rush Gallery in the spring of 2007. This owner-operated gallery features fine arts by Ting and is home to the Express Yourself / Exprime-toi Jewellery “collection” designed and created in Wells by both Art Rush Gallery owners. The Gallery also features pottery, woodworks, and designer handbags by artisans from British Columbia.  Hours of operation: June - September: Wednesday - Monday 10:00am – 9:00pm. artrushgallery.com

The Bear’s Paw Café
The Bear’s Paw is more than a dining experience. Fine Food is complimented by our friendly atmosphere, great music, and funky decor, which includes a wide variety of art showcasing local and regional artists, including Stained Glass by Beth Holden, Original works by Ting Yuen, Claire Kujundzic, Bill Horne, and Marie Nagel, pottery by Joan Beck, and native art by Moi Sutherland.  Open 4:30pm till late every day.

Beck’s Pottery
Located on the Barkerville Highway, Beck’s pottery displays a great collection of Wheel and Raku pottery by Wells artist Joan Beck, paintings by Cariboo Artists, native carvings and books.  The hours of operation are 10:00 am – 6:00 pm seven days a week.

The Good Eats Gallery
In the 1960’s, Bud and Ida Williams operated the Good Eats Café, a restaurant renowned for the cinnamon buns baked by Bud, which today are baked by Bud’s granddaughter Rita.  In previous years, businesses like Buston’s Barbershop and Bud’s Taxi were located on the premises. The “Good Eats” is one of the last five-sided “flat iron” buildings in BC. Today, the building is owned by Chris Harris, who has a straw bale gallery at 105 Mile Ranch.  He has opened the “Good Eats”Gallery with his book designer, Bill Horne and painter Claire Kujundzic, who have a studio and gallery called “Amazing Space” which is located in the former Catholic Church on Bowman Crescent.  Their goal is to present original Cariboo artwork, cards, magnets, books, shirts, photography, and more in addition to honouring this unique building’s history.  The Good Eats Gallery is located at the corner of Pooley and Blair St., beside the Sunset Theatre n Wells, BC and is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.

Island Mountain Arts Gallery
2007 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Island Mountain Arts Society (IMA). Island Mountain Arts, named after the southwest mountain in Wells, has attracted world-class and emerging artists to educate, perform, study and exhibit in a wide range of artistic mediums.  Providing access to arts education and experiences in a region where few other opportunities exist, IMA operates an Annual School of the Arts.  The IMA Public Art Gallery, established 1988, is located in one of Wells’ restored heritage buildings, the former Hill Meat Market on historic Pooley Street.  IMA presents special events, artist talks, concerts, coffeehouses, literary readings, the International One Minute Play Festival and the ever-expanding ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art.   In celebration of Island Mountain Arts’ 30th Anniversary, the 30 x 30 Exhibition features works by over 30 artists who have been involved with IMA over its 30 year history.  These donated works will be auctioned off online in order to raise money to establish an endowment fund.  Our goal is to raise $10 000. Leave your bid at IMA or do it online through Doug Levis Fine Auctions www.levisauctions.com

Featured artists: Evelyn Armstrong, Robert Bateman, Joan Beck, Suzanne Bessette, Mark Castagnoli, James William Caughlan, Sonia Cornwall, Bert de Vink, Judith A. DesBrisay, Ron Dunn, Edward Epp, Ken Flett, Linda Dayan Frimer, Annerose Georgeson, Lori Goldberg, James Gordaneer, Sherrard Grauer, Joan Ramsey Harker, Chris Harris, Lisa Hebden, Michael Kluckner, Claire Kujundzic, Lesley Lloyd, Joan MacGregor, Robert Murray, Sybille Muschik, Marie Nagel, Toni Onley, Lindsay Read, Sylvia Regehr, Richard Reid, Audra Ricketts, Paula Scott, Tricia Sellmer, Barbara Wilson and Ting Yuen.

Marie Nagel Gallery
Follow the footpath across from IMA to the old Anglican Church building on Bowman
Crescent.  The Marie Nagel Gallery features beautiful original acrylic paintings by Marie Nagel as well as pottery, woodwork, weaving, and other art works by area artists.  It is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Sunset Theatre
The Sunset Theatre opened its doors in 1934 and was built for movies, live theatre and music events.  Since then it has changed hands many times; it was converted to BC’s first licensed gambling hall, occasionally offered live performances by traveling musicians, but due to lack of amenities and building improvements the doors were closed.  Since 1999 Karen and Dave Jeffery have dedicated their summers to carefully restoring the theatre to its former splendour.  They now offer live theatre and music performances, film, a weekly cabaret, and an exhibition of photographs printed on canvas by artist Rita Bozi.  The Sunset Theatre is open during show times at 2357 Pooley St., Wells. See events at: www.sunset-theatre.com.

The Wells Hotel and Pub
The Wells Hotel and Pub, established in 1933 and newly renovated in 2004, offers a warm and cozy atmosphere to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Submerse yourself in the 1930’s and enjoy a hearty meal at the Pooley Street Café or a unique, refreshing drink at the Wells Hotel Pub while taking in some of the ArtWalk. Here you can find Joan MacGregor’s colourful subtly stylized landscapes and images of daily life.  Alison Yule exhibits bold and mesmerizing paintings.  In the pub you’ll find a Crackle Eyes Gallery Wall Hanging, and displayed on the second floor you can see a collection of historical photos of Wells. Don’t miss it! 

Northwoods Restaurant 
The Northwoods Family Dining Restaurant is located on the Barkerville Highway in Wells.  There you can view emerging artist Latisa McCoy’s works which are original animation type paintings and drawings inspired by her dreams and the people who surround her.  The Northwood’s hours of operation are 6:30 am to 8:00 pm.

The Wells Community Hall
One of the most unique and well preserved community halls in all of BC, the Wells Community Hall was constructed in 1938.  Architecturally unique, the building featurrd gothic carpenter detailing with interior finishes of beveled donacona board and fine edge-grain Douglas Fir.  The mezzanine on the top floor at the front of the building was originally a reading and billiards room, but has since been converted to a ballet studio.  The recently refinished Banquet Room and Foyer is where you’ll find the acoustic stage.  3 venues for the ArtsWells ArtWalk are open in the Community Hall during festival hours.

    Ballet Studio, Wells Community Hall features works by Beth Holden, Bert de Vink and Kate Zisman.  Open duringday time festival hours.

Bert de Vink is a multi-media sculptor.  His piece, ‘Between Equals’, is a modern steel work portraying the ying yang of life; that we must always choose between extremes and life works out if we can manage to find a balance.  His second piece to be featured is an untitled wood carving on a steel base, which was created by following the wood’s natural shape to carve out a balance and form. 

Kate Zisman’s mixed-media dioramas will trap you in their jaws! 

Caroline Anders is an emerging artist working with oil on canvas.

Crackle Eyes Gallery & Odyssey Drum Finishing display a Drum Kit and Coffee Table.

Jessie Demers will be exhibiting mixed-media works inspired by ‘nesting’ in Wells over the winter months.

Kerry Kilsby presents her watercolour paintings.

Lindsay Read, who painted our new ArtsWells highway sign as well as the IMA sandwich board, will display her poignant acrylic paintings. 

Paula Scott’s narrative and surreal paintings will be exhibited, including the untitled painting donated to Island Mountain Arts for the ArtsWells program cover.

Sandra Taylor’s luminous watercolour paintings explore the imagination and the natural landscape accompanied with poetry.

Josh Trotter Warner’s candid photography will be presented in the Aucoustic Stage Venue of the Wells Community Hall.

Kevin House’s painting, in the tradition of sideshow banners.  While working within this form House has painted animals, dead French poets, sideshow performers, and other oddities.  House’s Magical Kingdom banner provides the backdrop for the Acoustic Stage.  Other banners include ‘Major Mite’, ‘Odditys’, and ‘Johnny Eck Half Boy’.  Some 78 records from his "THE EAR CON CHAIR TOES" exhibition are also on display.