Mission Statement

The Artswells Festival aims to promote, support and involve professional and emerging artists from all disciplines and areas of the province of British Columbia, in partnership with community members, business, government and tourism, in a weekend festival in the vibrant and historic town of Wells, BC. Through performances, workshops, exhibitions, networking and mentorship opportunities artists will gain skills, experience and exposure while providing the community with an enriching cultural event that will draw audiences from far and near.

A Brief History of ArtsWELLS

The Artswells Festival was the brainchild of a collective of dedicated artists and cultural workers, namely Julie Fowler, Beth Holden and Yael Wand. These three ladies, all employees of Island Mountain Arts Society at the time, and all having worked on festivals and cultural events in the past in Wells, Vancouver and Montreal, saw a great need and opportunity for an arts festival in Wells.

With the support of IMA’s board, Artswells began to take shape and gain momentum. Community partners came on side like the District of Wells, the Wells Forest Community Society, Barkerville Historic Town and International Wayside Goldmines, among numerous local businesses willing to give discounts to festival goers.

Artists and musicians from around the province agreed to travel to the little mountain town without any assurances of payment. In fact all that was guaranteed was healthy, vegetarian food and tenting accommodation for the weekend, as well as performance and workshop space.

An amazing group of about 50 dedicated volunteers joined the project like Ruth Sumiko Tababta who did a lot of workshop organizing in addition to sponsorship, Marguerite Bromley who ran the kitchen for the weekend, Joe Mits and Brad Reid who did an amazing job running sound all weekend, Christina Zaenker who organized all the performers, Dennis Bogle who put together the visual artists’ ArtWalk, Rich Schmode who helped with transportation and Jason Griffin and Pete Wright who coordinated the building of the outdoor stages.