Island Mountain Arts - News - News at a Glance

Wellsaid Wells a Smash Success!

Sun, 04 Jul 10 00:00:00 -0700

WELLSAID WELLS GOT THE PARTY STARTED EARLY THIS YEAR

July 3rd’s Wellsaid Benefit at the Bears Paw in the HQ of Wells BC was just a hint of what is to come at the Artswells Festival of LOVE at the end of the month. Amid protestations of WELLSLOVE by the fantastic benefit musiciens came a heated Wellsaid Art Auction. The heart pounding tension rose between bidders over featured artist Caroline Anders piece "Bits" and later the Love almost broke out in a fisticuffs over a treasured Lindsay Read, "Bob, Bob and Bob".

Later in the evening the artfully satisfied crowd rocked out to the beats of Drum and Bell Tower, whose set lasted untill the wee hours of the morning. The music kept mosquitoes, rain and wind all at bay and the calendula-scented patio glowed in the candlelight of Artswells Festival Dreams to come.

If this is any indication of the Artswells Festival 2010, let the LOVE rock on.

ART MATTERS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Wed, 23 Jun 10 00:00:00 -0700

Art Matters in British Columbia

By Artistic Director, Julie Fowler

This last year has been one of the most challenging to be an arts organization in British Columbia. Like so many galleries, museums, festivals, theatre groups etc., the cuts (or I should say the all out denial of the arts as being worthy of money that is targeted for community vitality) through the Direct Access Gaming Funds and the projected cuts to the BC Arts Council grants are monumental. Along with these major cuts to core funding other sources have also become difficult to access such as monies from sponsorship and foundations. Frustrations are growing across the province as groups struggle to keep their doors open and offer their programming, while also needing to work even more overtime to initiate new fundraising and work on advocacy campaigns.

As a worker in the arts who is passionate and willing to regularly work more than I’m paid for (as I know so many of us do) it becomes absurd to think that I will have to subsidize the work that I do even further, or even worse, leave the sector all together. I don’t think the government has any clue of the value they get for each dollar that they put into arts and culture. We have all heard the dollar amount that comes back directly in tax dollars collected on arts and culture activity (from $1.01 to $1.38), but if one was to start thinking about all of the hours of work that go unpaid – that we all do because we believe in the work that we do – the value becomes astronomical. And of course the value of the arts cannot simply be calculated in dollars and cents, it goes far beyond that. It provides us a window into what it means to be human – an experience of the inexplicable. The reason we make art is not easily rationalized or explained – which is why is it is easy to discount its value. But now, more than ever we need creative and critical thinking skills in order to find solutions to the issues facing the planet.

I also don’t give much credence to the attitude that these are tough economic times and the “frills” (as the arts are often referred to) must be cut. There is money, and in general this government prefers to spend it on tax breaks for large corporations rather than on grants to non-profits. But we are a business too, and if the logging and mining industries deserve to be subsidized, so do the arts. We generate revenue, create jobs and build healthy and vibrant communities – communities that people want to live in. How often have you heard about a situation where artists move into a poor community and then revitalize it through opening galleries, creating funky venues for music and performance and adding colour to the streets? As the community is revitalized it then becomes attractive to more people; people that are craving that connection to something creative and vibrant (don’t we all crave that!?) and soon enough property values rise and the artists move on to the next affordable place and start again.

I see this very situation happening in Wells, where property values are on the rise and real estate has been sold directly because of the work that Island Mountain Arts does. Essentially Island Mountain Arts, over the last 33 years has created the arts community that the town is now getting recognized for, and building an economy around – it didn’t just magically happen either. Tourists are now coming to Wells specifically for the galleries the Sunset Theatre, the School of the Arts and the ArtsWells Festival – we are not just the “host town to the ghost town,” anymore. We are an economic force, but we need “tax breaks” (aka funding) too. The amount that is being cut from all of our budgets is beginning to cripple our abilities to continue the important work that we do and once these structures are dismantled, it will be a huge challenge (or impossible) to build them up again. What will be lost is immeasurable.

So, what can we do? There are some advocacy initiatives that are being planned by an ad-hoc group that has come together (mostly South Coast based) that is being led by the Alliance for Arts and Culture, which include a “Arts Summit” coming up on June 24 and 25 in Surrey, BC. There is also the “Day at the Legislature” that was being planned for the fall, but since the government has decided not to sit now until the spring, it is being re-scheduled to then. Beyond that I think it is up to each of us to continue to support and advocate for arts and culture – talk to your neighbour, talk to your local politicians, go to your local galleries, attend a concert or theatre show. Get your children involved, provide them an experience of the arts, and let them find out why it’s important. Experiencing arts and culture changed my life for the better – I imagine if you are reading this, it changed your life too.

And if you are looking for an opportunity to introduce someone to the magic of the arts please come on down to Wells and Barkerville for the 7^th Annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art from July 30 – August 2. Experience over eighty acts on eight stages over four days in two towns, plus tons of workshops, an ArtWalk and fun activities for kids (artswells.com). Also consider taking a workshop from our great lineup of courses at the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts (imarts.com).

Songwriting Contest Winners Anounced

Tue, 22 Jun 10 00:00:00 -0700

Winner of the Ken Whiteley Songwriting Contest Announced!

Congratulations Glenna Garramone!

The judges (Wells songwriters Bob Campbell, Joel Klinger and Yael Wand) have done the hard work of listening to nearly 50 entries for the contest to win a scholarship to IMA's four day Songwriting Workshop, July 27 - 30 with folk legend Ken Whiteley. Glenna Garramone from Victoria was chosen as the winner for her song "Bear Scat." Along with the scholarship, Glenna will be given a performance slot at the ArtsWells Festival and be interviewed by Sheryl MacKay on CBC Radio One's North by Northwest. Joe Nolan from Fort Saskatchewan was the runner up, also receiving a scholarship to the workshop, plus tickets to the festival. Honourable mentions went to Theresa Pasaluko, Iyan Bruvold, Karyn Ellis and Clayton Ward. Thanks to all who entered the contest!! And there is still space in Ken Whiteley's four day workshop for those out there wanting to delve further into the art of songwriting.

Artswells Festival 2010 Early Bird Deadline Saves You HST!

Sun, 20 Jun 10 00:00:00 -0700

Early Bird deadline for Artswells Festival of All Things Art is June 30th.

The official Artswells Festival Early Bird Deadline June 30th 2010 will also save you from paying HST if you sign up now! This is worth getting up early for!

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler ~ Artistic Director
Island Mountain Arts / ArtsWells Festival

Phone: (250) 994-3466
Toll Free: 1-800-442-2787

Fax: (250) 994-3433

Web: www.artswellsfestival.com

E-mail: media@imarts.com

EARLYBIRD TICKETS FOR THE ARTSWELLS FESTIVAL IN WELLS, BC

AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE 30 –

DON'T MISS ONE OF CANADA'S TOP TEN FESTIVALS!

WELLS, BC, CANADA, JUNE 20.....Island Mountain Arts is proud to present the 7^th Annual ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art in the two historic mining towns of Wells and Barkerville, British Columbia over the August Long weekend July 30 – August 2, 2010.

The ArtsWells Festival features 90 amazing musical acts performing on 9 unique stages over 4 unforgettable days in two historical towns. In addition to the music the ArtsWells features numerous workshops for the entire family (everything from juggling to felting), a visual artwalk, mini mural project, vendor village, street performances, the International One Minute Play Festival, poetry and spoken word and so much more. What makes this festival stand apart from other festivals is the fact the entire community is the festival site and has been best described by many of those who have attended as being summer camp for artists.

Find out for yourself why the ArtsWells Festival was voted one of the top ten festivals in Canada through a national wide poll conducted by CBC Radio 3, and highlighted as one of must attend summers festivals in Gonzo Magazine, Canadian Musician Magazine and BC Musician Magazine. ArtsWells is also the subject of a just released, full length documentary filmed in 2008 by indie filmmaker Dan Williams (call to get your copy today!).

As an added bonus, with the purchase of every early Early Bird and Regular Priced Adult Weekend Pass, festival-goers will receive a voucher valued at $20 towards any festival merchandise at the ArtsWells Merchandise Booth. ArtsWells pays the retail value to the artists who merchandise you choose, giving festival-goers the chance to support their favourite artist directly through the purchase of their festival pass. In addition this year every Adult and Youth Weekend Pass Holders will get a special Limited Edition 2010 ArtsWells Poster designed by the legendary rock poster designer Bob Masse!

To see who is performing at this year’s festival please check out websites at: www.artswells.com or www.myspace.com/artswells and click on their name of the artist to be directed to their individual websites. This list will continue to be updated as additional artists are confirmed, so please check back often. Some highlights of this summer's line up include: blues rocker, Romi Mayes from Winnipeg; old timey up and comers, Lake of Stew from Montreal; spoken word, rock and roller, C.R. Avery and the Boomchasers from Vancouver; country crooner, Carolyn Mark; man of much Klezmer, Geoff Berner; queen of Hip Hop, Kia Kadiri; happy dance rockers, The Burning Hell; the country punkers, Joey Only Outlaw Band; folk duo, Morlove; and so much more!

A limited number of discounted Early Bird Tickets are now available until June 30, 2010 or until they sell out. Adult Early Bird Weekend Passes are only $75.00 & Early Bird Youth (ages 13 – 18) Weekend Passes are only $30.00 Children aged 12 and under are FREE!

Regular priced Tickets are available from July 1, 2010 until they sell out. Adult Weekend Passes are only $95.00 & Youth (ages 13 – 18) Weekend Passes are only $35.00 – subject to HST. Children aged 12 and under are always FREE! Tickets this year will sell out so get yours early to avoid disappointment.

To purchase your 2010 ArtsWells Tickets you can phone Island Mountain Arts, Toll Free at: 1-800-442-2787 reach them by e-mail at: artswellsfestival@imarts.com or purchase them online at: artswellsfestival.com .Tickets can also be picked up at the following locations: in Quesnel at Quesnel Music and Keens Sports; in Prince George at Studio 2880 and Book & Company; in Williams Lake at Dollar Dollar and Red Shreds; and in Wells at Island Mountain Arts, The Bear's Paw Cafe and Cartier and Bailey Creative Studio.

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Eventual Synthesis Perry Rath

Sun, 13 Jun 10 00:00:00 -0700

EVENTUAL SYNTHESIS Recent Painting by Perry Rath Opening Friday June 18th at 7pm Artist Talk at 7:30pm This June through July, Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery will showcase a selection of recent work by Smithers-based visual artist Perry Rath. This exhibit is a stunning group of paintings, small-scale installation, and collaborations highlighting the artist's incredible mastery of his varied mediums, lending us an elusive experience of our own Eventual Synthesis with this world. Since graduating in Fine Art from the University of Guelph in 1995, Rath has been pursuing artistic projects in a variety of international venues. His installations and paintings demonstrate a vital sensitivity to materials, and explore the interplay of the idea and the materials. Using topographical maps, historical and current photographs, and layers of paint glazes and textures, assembled to juxtapose geometric divisions with organic undulations, Rath�s paintings are enigmatic expressions of our landscapes and human presence. Within these works is a fascination by all that is held within the landscape and the maps of that territory � the stories, the routes, the changes, the tragedies, and the reverence. His installations speak to the vulnerable yet resilient nature of life. The work plays with the visual and conceptual relationships of memory, renewal, presence/absence, history and time. His poetic constructions contain an intrinsic charmed potency located between the contemplative and the amusing. Rath has exhibited across Canada, and internationally in Australia, India, Germany, Russia, Britain and the US. His work has attracted the attention of the Governor-General, and he was included in the survey book �New Art International� published by Book Art Press, New York. More recently, he was included in several other book projects and his artwork was used by BC Parks for interpretive signs in the Bulkley Valley. This exhibition is open to the public from June 18th until July 13th. Perry Rath will be available at the opening for questions and comments at 7pm on June 18th. For more information about Rath�s upcoming show, or other events at Island Mountain Arts visit www.imarts.com or phone 1-800-442-2787.

Student Position at Island Mountain Arts - Summer Program Liason

Fri, 07 May 10 00:00:00 -0700

Summer Program Liason

Island Mountain Arts, Wells, BC

*The following job is open to College or University Students only, who are returning to full time studies in the fall.

$12.50/ hour, 35 hours /week for 9 weeks

Position runs for nine weeks from the beginning of July to the end of August.

Deadline to apply: May 31, 2010

Island Mountain Arts will be offering a diverse range of courses and workshops in 2010. The Summer Program Liason will assist in the running of our IMA summer programming, including the Summer School of the Arts and the ArtsWells Festival.

Island Mountain Arts is a vibrant arts organization that provides innovative cultural programming in north central BC. In addition to the School of the Arts, the organization annually presents the ArtsWells Festival and runs a small Public Gallery, plus and a variety of additional events such as Artist Talks, Reading and concerts. For more information see www.imarts.com

Wells is a tiny community 80 km east of Quesnel, near Barkerville Historic Town and Bowron Lakes Provincial Park. It is known as a destination for the arts, heritage and outdoor pursuits. For more information see www.wellsbc.com

This job is a great opportunity for someone looking for experience working in a dynamic organization, organizing events, tourism, administration, public relations and a vibrant and dynamic team atmosphere.

Responsibilities:

Description of Tasks:

Tasks and Responsibilities:

·Assist in all aspects of course registrations and information requests: provide course, travel and accommodations info, process payments, maintain registration binder;

·Assist in managing the IMA Website and IMA database: process information requests, registrations, memberships, donations, updating and reporting on all related information;

·Assist in managing the Wells-Barkerville School facility for the duration of the Summer School: liaise with instructors and students, ensure facility access, provide supplies and equipment, prepare (and tear-down) classrooms for workshop use;

·Manage the IMA-participant outreach and communications, including:

o Create Student Welcome Packages

o Coordinate student Welcome Receptions;

o Coordinate student afternoon excursions (Barkerville, hiking, canoeing tours);

·Maintain Canteen: deliver supplies, manage inventory, daily cleaning, collect donations;

·Prepare, deliver, collect and tabulate the student course evaluations;

·Assist with all aspects of daily office duties such as answering phones, emails, filing, photocopying, etc., and other duties as assigned.

How to Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to Julie Folwer media@imarts.com, by May 31st

Songwriting Contest - Win a Scholarship to Study with Ken Whiteley!

Thu, 15 Apr 10 00:00:00 -0700

WIN A SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY THE ART OF SONGWRITING

WITH ROOTS MUSIC LEGEND, KEN WHITELEY, JULY 27 – 30, 2010 IN WELLS, BC

WELLS, BC, April 9, 2010…. Island Mountain Arts located in the historic Cariboo town of Wells, British Columbia is pleased to announce a contest to win a scholarship to attend a four-day intensive Songwriting Workshop, July 27th – 30th with Canadian roots music legend, Ken Whiteley. Along with the scholarship (valued at $440), the winner will be invited to perform at the 7th Annual ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art, July 30th – August 2nd, 2010 – voted one of the top ten festivals in Canada by CBC Radio 3 in this years Searchlight Contest, and have your music played by Sheryl MacKay on CBC Radio’s province wide arts and culture program North by Northwest.

Whether leading his own group, solo or collaborating with peers at blues, folk, children’s festivals and concerts of all sizes, Ken Whiteley’s “...deep knowledge and infectious passion” guarantee good times for all. As a producer of over 125 recording projects, Ken’s productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, 22 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations, and sold over 8 million copies.

The contest is open to emerging and professional songwriters who submit entries. You don’t need a professional recording. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. Production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not criteria. This is an invaluable opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to nurture their songwriting on all levels while working with their peers and the mentorship of a senior songwriter.

The deadline to apply is May 29, 2010 and the winner will be announced by June 5th, 2010. Applicants are also encouraged to apply to the “Songwriter Workshop and Seminar Support Program,” offered through FACTOR (www.factor.ca), which provides up to $750 towards attending a workshop (next program deadline June 15th, 2010).

Running concurrently with the Songwriting Workshop is a four-day Roots, Slide and Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with veteran blues man, Tim Williams, as well as the always popular Songwriting and Rhythm Workshop for ages 6 – 18 with Corwin Fox and Kia Kadiri.

For more information about the contest or any of the programs offered, visit the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts website at www.imarts.com, call 1-800-442-2787, or email info@imarts.com.

CONTEST DETAILS

WHO CAN ENTER

This contest is open to all aspiring or proficient songwriters – self-published or unpublished – who are looking for a chance to improve their song writing skills and further hone their craft.

CRITERIA

Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. Production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not criteria.

HOW TO ENTER

• Send 1 song, along with a typed lyric sheet, your name, address and telephone number to:

Song Writing Contest

Island Mountain Arts

PO Box 65

Wells, BC, V0K 2R0, Canada

• You can also enter by e-mail by sending the above information and an MP3 to: media@imarts.com

• The song must be original

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES

All entries must reach Island Mountain Arts no later than 5:00pm on Saturday, May 29th, 2010.

The winner will be announced by June 5th, 2010.

THE 2010 SONGWRITING PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Full tuition (value $440) paid to attend the four-day intensive songwriting workshop in Wells, British Columbia with Ken Whiteley.

• A coveted performance spot at the 2010 ArtsWells Festival (www.artswells.com), which begins on the last day of the workshop (Friday, July 30th) and runs until Monday, August 2, 2010.

• An interview on CBC Radio’s North By Northwest with Sheryl Mackay

THE RUNNER UP PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Full tuition (value $440) paid to attend the four-day intensive songwriting workshop in Wells, British Columbia with Ken Whiteley.

• Weekend pass to the 7^th Annual ArtsWells Festival, July 30 – August 2, 2010

Contact: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

Employment Opportunity - Deadline to apply March 15

Thu, 04 Mar 10 00:00:00 -0800

Employment Opportunity in Wells

Island Mountain Arts is seeking a qualified individual
to fill the position of Financial Administrator

20 hours per week, $15 per hour

The Financial Administrator is responsible for the accounting, payroll, grant writing and all other financial aspects of the operations of Island Mountain Arts in addition to other tasks as assigned by the Artistic Director/Curator. Prior experience in financial management, arts and culture or not-for-profit administration is an asset.

The ideal candidates will posses the following skills:

· Excellent organizational skills

· Time managements skills

· Highly self motivated and able to prioritize

· Adaptable and quick to learn

Financial Duties:

Accounts payable and Receivable
Payroll and Payroll remittances
Consignment payouts for gift shop and gallery
GST and PST remittances
Cash-outs (daily in summer, weekly in winter)
Board meeting reports – Preparation of Board Packages, including monthly progress report, and various financial reports
Budgets and financial projections (on going as required)
Grant writing and communication with agencies
Year end reporting for various grants and agencies
Gift shop inventory for end of fiscal year
Financial management of ArtsWells and other events
Other duties as required

Please send resumes by March 15, 2010 to:

Island Mountain Arts

Box 65, Wells, BC V0K 2R0

For more information please call 1-800-442-2787 or locally 250-994-3466

Or email finance@imarts.com

Vote For ArtsWells on CBC Radio Three!!!

Wed, 03 Mar 10 00:00:00 -0800

The ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art in the historic Cariboo community of Wells/Barkerville, BC is ecstatic to have been selected by CBC Radio Three as one of the top 10 festivals in Canada! Voting ends March 9th at 5pm and you can vote everyday. yay!!!

Please help ArtsWells to become the number 1 festival in Canada!

Click on the link to vote...you can vote once each day!

http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/searchlight/vote

Eat Your Art Out! Fundrasier

Fri, 26 Feb 10 00:00:00 -0800

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

EAT YOUR ART OUT! – ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUNCES AN EXCITING MIDDLE EASTERN DINNER AND BELLYDANCING WORKSHOP

WELLS, BC, CANADA….Island Mountain Arts (est. 1977) in historic Wells, BC which runs an annual School of the Arts, Public Gallery and the ever growing ArtsWells Festival is hosting its 2^nd Annual Eat Your Art Out fundraising dinner on Saturday, April 3rd. The following day you can work off the fabulous meal at a one-day Bellydancing Workshop with Marianne Eriksson.

With the recent funding cuts to arts and culture charities across the province, of which Island Mountain Arts was not spared, this fundraiser comes and an extremely critical time. “In these challenging economic times the value of institutions such as Island Mountain Arts cannot be understated, for over thirty years IMA has served not only as an economic engine, but also as a cultural bastion, providing invaluable opportunities for both professional and emerging artists. Your contribution is not only an investment in IMA’s future, but also validates the importance of British Columbia’s rich arts and culture community,” says Paul Crawford, Vice-President of the Island Mountain Arts Board. Crawford went on to send a challenge to the public saying, “if you can’t make it to this event, or even if you can, I challenge you to match my donation of $50 per month for the next year to ensure the longevity of this vital arts institution.”

Eat Your Art Out features a Middle Eastern themed full-course meal at the Wells Community Hall Banquet Room with food prepared by Wells’ resident chef, Sharon Brown and entertainment by Quesnel’s own bellydance dance troupe – Boom Chica Boom Boom. There will also be an auction with works of art by Marie Nagel, Ron Dunn and Toni Onley, as well as a raffle with some amazing prizes from local businesses including a two-nights stay at the Wells Hotel.

After checking out the great moves of the belly dance troupe at Eat Your Art Out, stick around on Sunday, April 4th for the Bellydancing Workshop and learn some of those moves yourself! Hosted by the fantastic Marianne Eriksson, the workshop is open to all levels and is suitable for the beginner.

Tickets to Eat Your Art Out on Saturday, April 3^rdat 6pm are $45/ea or $325 for a table of eight. RSVP (no later than March 26th) by contacting Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-278 or info@imarts.com. Tickets are also available at Green Tree Health on Reid Street in Quesnel (cash only please). The full course meal includes a beer or wine of your choice. There will also be a no host bar. No minors please. The Bellydancing Workshop, which runs from 10am – 3pm on Sunday, April 4th^th is only $20 for “Eat Your Art Out” ticket holders and $30 for non-ticket holders. To match Paul Crawford’s challenge and support IMA with a monthly donation visit the Canada Helps website (www.canadahelps.org) and search “Island Mountain Arts,” or call IMA.

Dinner and/or workshop guests receive a 10% accommodation discount at the Historic Wells Hotel (1-800-860-2299), Hubs Motel (1-866-994-3313) and the White Cap Motor Inn (1-800-337-2028).

For more information about “Eat Your Art Out” and/or the Bellydancing Workshop please contact Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787 or visit www.imarts.com.

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Invest in the Arts - 2009 IMA Membership and Donation Drive

Thu, 29 Oct 09 00:00:00 -0700

INVESTING IN THE ARTS MAKES ECONOMIC DOLLARS AND SENSE!

The last few months have been devastating for Arts organizations across BC:

Direct Access Gaming funds cut by 10.9 million!
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts budget cut from $19.545 million to $3.675 million!
A decrease in corporate and foundations monies due to the global recession!

For Island Mountain Arts this means an unanticipated shortfall in revenues of over $27,000. The cuts came without warning; they were not something we could plan for. The cuts were to our core funding. These monies were budgeted to help pay wages and keep the lights and heat on. The cuts represent over 13% of our budget.

Since 1977, IMA has been on the leading edge of cultural programming in north central BC. We fill a recognized gap with the kind of professional arts instruction that is not available elsewhere in the region. Whether it is a mentoring program with senior Canadian visual artists such as Peter von Tiesenhausen or Lyndal Osborne (who is returning to mentor in 2010), a songwriting course with iconic figures such as David Francey, or the ArtsWells Festival of all Things Art, the only festival of its kind in BC, Island Mountain Arts brings experiences and opportunities to residents of the north.

Investing in the arts doubles your money. For every dollar spent by an arts organization, another dollar’s worth of spending is stimulated in the economy. Investing in the arts creates and supports jobs. Investing in the arts will help to bring our economy back on track.

We know that everyone is impacted by tighter economic times, but if you enjoyed your summer experience at Island Mountain Arts, please consider a generous donation at this time when we need it most. Your investment will ensure that we can maintain the same level of programming and excellence in 2010 and beyond. One option is to become a monthly donor through http://www.canadahelps.org/ or by filling out and sending us the form that can be downloaded from the "Support Us" page on the website. Even a small monthly donation helps us out and is greatly appreciated.

IMA is a tough and resilient organization that has been around for over 30 years. The Board is forward-thinking and strategic and IMA has weathered many storms. With your help, we can ensure that Island Mountain Arts continues to provide youth programming, a vibrant public gallery, the ArtsWells Festival, and top quality instruction in a full range of artistic disciplines.

Thank you,

Judy Campbell, Treasurer

P.S. Island Mountain Arts has been proactive in opposing the cuts to not only cultural groups, but to sports and social support groups as well. We made a joint presentation with the District of Wells to the Hearing of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services in Prince George, we have written Minister Krueger, the District of Wells has written the Premier, and we are participating in a range of initiatives to oppose the cuts to Arts and Culture. We urge you to visit www.stopbcartscuts.ca to learn how to take action.

TAKE THE PAUL CRAWFORD CHALLENGE!

With the recent funding cuts to arts and culture charities across the province, of which Island Mountain Arts was not spared, this donation drive comes and an extremely critical time. “In these challenging economic times the value of institutions such as Island Mountain Arts cannot be understated, for over thirty years IMA has served not only as an economic engine, but also as a cultural bastion, providing invaluable opportunities for both professional and emerging artists. Your contribution is not only an investment in IMA’s future, but also validates the importance of British Columbia’s rich arts and culture community,” says Paul Crawford, Vice-President of the Island Mountain Arts Board. Crawford went on to send a challenge to the public saying, “if you can’t make it to this event, or even if you can, I challenge you to match my donation of $50 per month for the next year to ensure the longevity of this vital arts institution.”

Island Mountain Arts devastated by new provincial budget - A Message from Artistic Director, Julie Fowler

Sun, 06 Sep 09 00:00:00 -0700

The arts are a catalyst for economic growth, as well as make communities livable and vibrant. Island Mountain Arts, the arts organization that I work for is a integral part of the economy of Wells and Barkerville, BC where it has been operating a School of the Arts since 1977, a Public Gallery since 1988 and the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art since 2004.

Every dollar that the government invests in our organization brings in double that in terms of money spent at hotels, motels, restaurants, galleries, gas stations and other attractions. We also employ and provide amazing training opportunities for our workers who get the chance to learn great business skills from administration and computer skills to public relations and marketing. More than once I have had past employees ask me to be a reference as they go on to other work in places like banks and other parts of the corporate sector, as they can inevitably make more money there. Arts organizations invest lots of money and resources in training workers, who they can most often not hang on to b/c of the wage being so small. Its frustrating to be subsidizing the corporate sector, by offering up trained workers for there use. We also hire hundreds of professional artists again sending the government grant money back into the economy. Investing in the arts is investing in our HUMAN resources - a renewable resource!

Of course beyond the economic benefits of supporting arts and culture, there is the social benefit. This is often intangible in terms of dollars and cents, but it would be a pretty poor world if we did not have song and dance and art. These pursuits build community, provide inspiration and connect humans to a side of themselves that is inexplicable and mysterious. It is important to have these experiences to understand what it is to be human.

Island Mountain Arts. along with so may arts and culture groups across the province, lost its gaming grant when the cuts were announced last wee ($20 000 - roughly 10% of its overall budget). What makes this worse is that there was no warning or time to plan. In the arts we are used to surviving against all odds, having to volunteer our time, and fundraising, fundraising, fundraising - but this kind of a cut, from a source that has been stable for twenty or more years will send our organization into a tail spin.

We are currently working with arts groups around the province to mobolize and fight these cuts. Please help us send a message to the Provincial Government that these cuts to such a vital part of our society is not acceptable! Send a letter or give a call to your local MLA.

Also consider helping Island Mountain Arts with a donation. Every little bit helps! Link here to send a donation.
Thank you for your support.

Undesirables from Toronto perform September 8 in Wells

Sun, 06 Sep 09 00:00:00 -0700

Who: Undesirables

What: CD Release Concert

When: 8:00 pm Tuesday Sept 8, 2009

Where: Island Mountain Arts Gallery

2323 Pooley St

Wells, British Columbia

Tickets and Info: Phone: (250) 994-3466 or toll free 1-800-442-2787

Cost: $10 at the door

Band info: http://www.myspace.com/undesirables

Wells, BC - Island Mountain Arts and the ArtsWells Festival is proud to present the Undesirables live in concert on Tuesday September 8th at Island Mountain Arts in the beautiful historic town of Wells, BC. Based out of Toronto, Ontario the Undesirables are currently touring across Canadian tour in support of their much anticipated third album entitled Travelling Show.

Traveling Show is the duo's third album to date, and they're already planning to record their fourth, Cancer Shoes, in Australia in April 2010, with producer Mick Wordley (The Yearlings, Chris Whitely, Jeff Lang).

Corin Raymond is folk's only front man. He's a storyteller whose audiences make themselves cozy in the palm of his hand, and as a singer he sweats for his payload like any worker in soul. When he's not sweating for The Undesirables, Corin is singing his own songs, behind a rhythm guitar, with his band The Sundowners. He released his newest solo effort, There Will Always Be A Small Time, in May, 2009. One of Corin's songs will be published in the July issue of Sing Out! magazine.

Sean Cotton is The Undesirables' one-man band, a secret weapon in the world of guitar players, and it's no surprise that he also plays with Treasa Levasseur, another peer with whom The Undesirables have schemed, dreamed, toured and triumphed. Treasa sings with The Undies on their second album, Doghouse Dreams, and she has also included an Undesirables song on both her albums to date. She makes no secret of the fact she plans to record 'Fill Me Up With Sound', another from the duo's catalogue, on her third album.

Noted singer-songwriter Jonathan Byrd from North Carolina had this to say:

"The Undesirables from Toronto, Canada comprises of two grown men, one guitar, and a natural disaster. These guys rock harder than rock bands. Visceral, deeply soulful, hand-clapping, foot-stomping, laughing out loud music. Being in the room with them is like standing in the engine room of an ocean freighter pulling 20 knots. There are rumours of a Texas tour in the works for them. Texas is going to freak out. Any of my fans out there, go see them. If I have misled you, I will personally refund your ticket."

Don't miss this rare opportunity to catch one of Toronto's hottest independent bands before they head out on an international tour. For tickets and info please call Island Mountain Arts at (250) 994-3466 or toll free 1-800-442-2787

Surround - an Exhibition by Katie Brennan runs until September 13, 2009

Thu, 13 Aug 09 00:00:00 -0700

On Friday, August 14th at 7pm, the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in the historic town of Wells, B.C is pleased to present, "Surround" a painting installation by Vernon visual artist Katie Brennan. Painting directly on the walls of the gallery, Brennan’s unique approach to painting involves the manipulation of graphic form through use of repetitive expansion, reverb, refraction directional growth, and ricochet. Brennan’s work has been exhibited across Canada with Surround showcased in the gallery from August 14^th until September 13^th. Brennan will be present opening night to speak about her work and answer any questions. For further information on the exhibition or other upcoming events at the Island Mountain Arts Gallery call 1-800-442-ARTS, that’s 1-800-442-2787 or visit our website at www.imarts.com.

Bring a Friend Promotion! Save 10% NOW!

Mon, 20 Jul 09 00:00:00 -0700

BRING A FRIEND PROMOTION - SAVE 10%

As we still have spots left in some of our workshops, Island Mountain Arts has put together a last minute summer promotion - the 'Bring a Friend' promotion! Enroll in one of our workshops with a friend and you both receive 10% off.

To register with a friend simply quote the "Bring a Friend" promotion. The promotion only applies to any new registrations and does not apply to the Toni Onley Artists' Project.

The "Bring a Friend Promotion" can be applied to the following courses:

Photoshop Seminar with William Pitcher, July 24

Get the Most Out of Your Digital Camera, July 25 - 26

Songwriting and Storytelling with David Francey and Craig Werth, July 28 - 31

Fingerstyle Guitar with Ken Hamm, July 28 - 31

Cello Boot Camp with Morag Northey, July 28 - 31

Beginner Harp with Neil Burnett, August 11 - 15

Intermediate Harp with Sharlene Wallace, August 11 - 15

Advanced Harp with Sunita Staneslow, August 11 - 15

Fiddle with Gal Shahar, August 11 - 15

EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER - NOW ONLY $105 FOR FOUR DAYS OF KIDS & YOUTH SONGWRITING AND SPOKENWORD POETRY DAYCAMP (AGES 6 - 18) WITH CORWIN FOX AND KIA KADIRI, JULY 28 -31!

Legacy: Artists Helping Artists Fundraising Exhibition and Auction Opens

Fri, 17 Jul 09 00:00:00 -0700

Legacy:Artists Helping Artists is composed of artworks donated to Island Mountain Arts in Wells, BC by artists from across Canada. These works will be on exhibition at the IMA Public Gallery from July 17 - August 8, 2009 and will be auctioned off during the course of the exhibition by bidding at the gallery or online through Levis Fine Art Auctions in Calgary (www.levisonlineauctions.com). The final day to bid is Saturday, August 8th, 2009. Visit www.imarts.com to link to the online auction. Proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go towards the Island Mountain Arts Endowment Fund to provide scholarships for students attending IMA’s School of the Arts and the Toni Onley Artists’ Project. The IMA Endowment Fund was created as a result of the 30th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction, which took place in 2007. Island Mountain Arts gratefully acknowledges the support of all the artists who have donated works.

Linda Dayan Frimer Exhibition Opens June 19

Tue, 09 Jun 09 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeremy Bergner

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: info@imarts.com

Wells: In My Art, In My Heart, and In My Soul

Visual Installation by Vancouver Artist Linda Dayan Frimer
Opening & Artist Talk June 19^th at 7pm

This June through July, visual artist Linda Dayan Frimer will showcase her visually dynamic installation at the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery. This exhibit is an in depth enquiry in which Linda focuses her artistic investigation towards the religious, community and conservational concerns. Having spent her formative years in Wells, the historical town is often represented in her work as a symbol of serenity and peace in an otherwise chaotic world, and may be depicted as a dove (in her more abstract works), or by specific buildings and landmarks themselves. In 1984, Frimer’s first solo show, entitled Interior Windows, was showcased the town’s community hall in commemoration of the town’s 50^th anniversary. It seems only fitting that 25 years later, Frimer’s work is showcased again in Wells, coinciding with the town’s 75^th anniversary.

In addition to her degree in painting, Linda also received a second degree in print making- both from Emily Carr. This highly acclaimed artist has won such awards as the 2006 Red Cross award of Excellence, 2003 Jewish Woman International of Canada (B.C. chapter) “Woman of the Year”, and the 2001 YWCA “Woman of Distinction” in Arts and Culture. She has had many solo shows and her work has been exhibited all across Canada. In addition to her visual art, she has also published several books including In Honour of our Grandmothers. This exhibition runs from June 19^th until July 12^th and is open to the public. Frimer will be available at the opening for questions and comments on June 19^th. For more information about Frimer’s upcoming show, or other events at Island Mountain Arts visit www.imarts.com or phone 1-800-442-2787.

ArtsWells Festival Early Bird Deadline June 15

Tue, 09 Jun 09 00:00:00 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

The 6th Annual ArtsWells Festival, July 31 - August 3, is Northern British Columbia’s most unique festival experience featuring over 80 performers and artists, dozens of workshops on 8 stages over 4 days in 2 historic towns to give you 1 unforgettable experience.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLY UNTIL JUNE 15!!!!

WELLS/BARKERVILLE, BC, June 9, 2009....Island Mountain Arts in Wells, British Columbia is proud to present the 6^th Annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art from July 31 to August 3^rd. The Festival is held annually in the historic towns of Wells and Barkerville, British Columbia.

The ArtsWells Festival is fast gaining national acclaim as British Columbia’s largest and best independent arts festival where everyone from the performers to the audience become part of the magic. This year’s festival will feature over 70 musical acts, dancing, theatre, visual art, performance art, numerous workshops and creative writing. The setting is also unique as the festival takes place in various locations both indoors and outdoors in the historic gold mining towns of Wells and Barkerville.

This year’s festival line-up features some of the finest emerging and established artists from Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Australia and the United States touring across Canada this summer. Performances are intimate and interactive whether it’s dancing outdoors, rocking the community hall or sitting and listening in the intimacy of the community church, the Sunset Theatre or out in Historic Barkerville each stage provides its own unique touch and experience.

ArtsWells has firmly established a reputation amongst performers from across the country as a must attend festival and in doing so has created a real sense of community. This is one of the few festivals where the audience and the festival goer can interact and participate together whether it’s in a workshop, random jam session, entering a play in the One Minute Play Festival or one of the many other opportunities both scheduled or impromptu the ArtsWells festival will inspire, engage and leave you counting the days until next year.

This year with the purchase of an adult weekend pass you will receive a voucher for a CD of your choice from the ArtsWells Merchandise Booth. The ArtsWells Festival will then pay the retail value of that CD to the artist, giving festival-goers the chance to support their favourite artist directly through the purchase of their weekend pass.

For more information on this years line up please phone us at: 1-800-442-2787 or visit our websites at:

www.artswells.com

www.myspace.com/artswells

www.imarts.com

Ticket Prices for the 2009 ArtsWells Festival

Adults Early Bird ~ $60 (Purchases before June 15th)

Adult Regular ~ $80 (After June 15th)

Youth Early Bird (13 - 18 years old)~ $25 (Purchases before June 15th)

Youth Regular ~ $35 (After June 15th)

Children 12 and under ~ (Always Free with an Adult Guardian)

Four Day Weekend Pass includes all workshops and special discounts to local attractions and businesses including Barkerville Historic Town.

This year’s Early Bird Tickets are now available for purchase until June 15^th and are priced at only $60 for the four-day weekend pass. Due to the increasing interest in the ArtsWells festival this year’s festival will have only a limited number of tickets available and they are expected to sell out fast.

To purchase your tickets:

Through PayPal at: http://artswells.com/tickets/

Toll free: 1-800-442-2787

Volunteer for the 2009 ArtsWells Festival, July 31 - August 3

Mon, 08 Jun 09 00:00:00 -0700

WE NEED YOU!

The 6th Annual ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art, for July 31 - August 3, 2009 is looking for volunteers! For 12 hours of volunteer time, recieve a festival pass, food during your shifts and camping. For more details please visit the ArtsWells website at http://artswells.com/volunteers/ for details and to download an application.

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE FOR COURSES EXTENDED TO JUNE 15!!!

Mon, 01 Jun 09 00:00:00 -0700

THE EARLYBIRD DEADLINE FOR ALL COURSES HAS BEEN EXTENEDED TO MONDAY JUNE 15!

CALL 1-800-442-2787 TO REGISTER!

Exhibition by Joan Ramsey Harker Opens May 15th

Sun, 10 May 09 00:00:00 -0700

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PUBLIC GALLERY (2323 Pooley Street, Wells, BC)
is pleased to present

Artist Statement

This series is about my relationship with a special piece of land. It is a small strip, squeezed long and thin between the Fraser River and the Old Cariboo Road. It is my home.

The river now runs past my door, and through the centre of my life. This place tells me stories every day, and teaches me countless lessons: about the Cariboo, about nature and spirituality, about the daily cycle of life and death. It inspires my work.

Biography

Joan Ramsey Harker was born in Edmonton, and has painted for pleasure all her life. She attended painting classes for eight years at the Edmonton Art Gallery during her school years. In 1964 she received a Bachelor of Interior Design from the School of Architecture at the University of Manitoba. During her 36 year career she worked as a designer in architectural offices in Toronto and Vancouver, and as a designer, facilities manager, and planning manager for the Insurance Corporation of BC. Joan moved to Alexandria after retirement in 2000, and has become increasingly involved in the arts in Quesnel.

Painting is her first love and now absorbs most of her time. Since her retirement and move to the Cariboo in 2000, Joan has spent increasing time painting, until for the last year she has been planning her work and painting every day. Her home and studio is on the side of the Fraser River in Alexandria, where she enjoys the seasonal changes in the landscape, a modest garden, two companion dogs, and the many kinds of wildlife that call the river valley home or highway.

Joan had solo exhibitions in Williams Lake and Quesnel in 2005, and regularly exhibits in the Quesnel Art Gallery, the Breeze Gold and Gallery and in Artsfest, the Central Interior Regional Arts Council annual juried show . In 2007 she was accepted as an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, and this year had two paintings accepted for the TNSC Chapter Show in Kamloops. This is her first show in Wells.

IMA Seeking Donations of Artworks and unique items for Legacy Exhibition and Auction

Mon, 09 Mar 09 00:00:00 -0700

Click here to Download the Donation Letter

March 9th, 2009

Dear IMA Supporter,

Re: Endowment building

My name is Julie Fowler and I am the Artistic Director/Curator of Island Mountain Arts (IMA) located in the historic Cariboo town of Wells, British Columbia. As you are probably aware, IMA is a non-profit, charitable organization that runs a School of the Arts, Public Gallery and the ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art. Since our inception in 1977 we have provided education in the visual and performing arts for professional and emerging artists in a region of British Columbia where few such opportunities exist.

I am writing to seek your support through a donation of an original work of art, which will be included in an exhibition and auction this summer entitled, Legacy: Artists Helping Artists. We are also seeking unique specialty items to be auctioned. The proceeds raised will go towards Island Mountain Arts’ Endowment Fund, which provides scholarships and bursaries for individuals attending one of our many classes and programs. Your contribution creates a sustainable, lasting legacy that will assist promising artists in perpetuity. Every year, the endowment provides invaluable opportunities for individuals to further and enhance their creative pursuits through IMA’s classes, workshops and mentorship programs.

In 2007 we held our first auction, raising just over $10,000. That same year, matching grants through the Quesnel Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation via the BC Renaissance Fund and Heritage Canada, enabled Island Mountain Arts to establish an endowment of $50,000. Each year, the resulting interest goes towards our scholarship and bursary program, ensuring our programs are inclusive and available to artists of all ages and abilities.

Our programs incorporate a wide variety of artistic practices for professional and emerging artists, as well as educational opportunities for the region’s children and youth. Beyond this, IMA presents innumerable exhibitions, artist talks, concerts, readings, coffeehouses, the One Minute Play Festival and the growing ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art. All of these provide diverse and unique cultural experiences to engage the public at large.

The donated works will be exhibited at the IMA Gallery in Wells from July 17th to August 9th, 2009 and will then be auctioned online through Levis Fine Art Auctions of Calgary. IMA will produce a commemorative colour catalogue to accompany the exhibition, and copies will be provided to each participating artist.

Island Mountain Arts can provide you with a tax receipt for your donated original work or unique auction item (at the assessed value) and can assist in framing and transportation to Wells. We also offer a 20% commission back to the artist on the sale price if requested.

If you are interested in being part of the exhibition please respond by April 17, 2009 (email preferred) so that IMA can arrange for shipping and for the production of the catalogue.

As an exhibit participant, IMA welcomes you to attend the Opening of the exhibition on Friday, July 17 at 7:00pm at the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in Wells. As a token of our appreciation for your support through a donated piece, we invite you and a guest to attend the 6th Annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, held in Wells/Barkerville, Friday, July 31st through Monday, August 3rd, 2009, during which the exhibition will be prominently featured.

Thank you so much for your time and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Yours truly,

Julie Fowler

Artistic Director, Island Mountain Arts Society

media@imarts.com

1-800-442-2787

Win a scholarship to learn the Art of Songwriting with David Francey

Wed, 18 Feb 09 00:00:00 -0800

Contact: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

WIN A SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY THE ART OF SONGWRITING
WITH THREE-TIME JUNO WINNER, DAVID FRANCEY, JULY 28 – 31, 2009

WELLS, BC, February 16, 2009…. Island Mountain Arts located in the historic Cariboo town of Wells, British Columbia, in partnership with BC Musician Magazine is pleased to announce a contest to win a scholarship to attend a four-day intensive Songwriting Workshop, July 28^th – 31^st , with the three-time Juno Award-winning musician, David Francey, along with the multiple award-winning songwriter, Craig Werth.

Along with the scholarship, the winner will be featured in an issue of BC Musician Magazine, record a demo song with producer Corwin Fox, have their song played on the CBC’s North by Northwest with Sheryl MacKay and be invited to perform at the 6^th Annual ArtsWells Festival Of All Things Art, July 31^st – August 3^rd, 2009.

The Contest is open to emerging and professional songwriters who submit entries. You don't need a professional recording. Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. Production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not criteria.

This is an invaluable opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to nurture their song writing on all levels while promoting excellence in their craft. Both emerging and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. The contest is a great chance for songwriters, musicians, and performers to further their musicAL careers, and gain recognition and exposure within the music industry.

The deadline to apply is April 30^th, 2009 and the winner will be announced by May 15^th, 2009. Applicants are also encouraged to apply to the “Songwriter Workshop and Seminar Support Program,” offered through FACTOR (www.factor.ca), which provides up to $750 towards attending a workshop (next program deadline May 30^th).

Running concurrently with the Songwriting Workshop is a four-day Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop with Juno-winning blues man, Ken Hamm, and the always popular Songwriting and Hip Hop Workshop for ages 6 – 18 with Corwin Fox and Kia Kadiri.

For more information about the contest or any of the programs offered, visit the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts website at www.imarts.com, call 1-800-442-2787, or email info@imarts.com.

CONTEST DETAILS

WHO CAN ENTER

This contest is open to all aspiring or proficient songwriters – self-published or unpublished – who are looking for a chance to improve their song writing skills and further hone their craft.

CRITERIA

Entries will be judged on originality, melody, composition, and lyrics. Production/Recording quality and vocal ability are not criteria.

HOW TO ENTER

• Send a CD with a minimum of 1 song up to a maximum of 3 songs, along with a typed lyric sheet, your name, address and telephone number to:
Song Writing Contest
Island Mountain Arts
PO Box 65
Wells, BC, V0K 2R0, Canada

• You can also enter by e-mail by sending the above information and an MP3 to: media@imarts.com

• The song must be original and not published or distributed prior to competition.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES

All entries must reach Island Mountain Arts no later than 5:00pm on April 30^th, 2009.

The winner will be announced by May 15^th, 2009.

THE 2009 SONG WRITING PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Full tuition (value $500) paid to attend the four-day intensive songwriting workshop in Wells, British Columbia featuring David Francey and Craig Werth.

• A one song demo recoded in Wells at the conclusion of the workshop by the award-winning producer Corwin Fox.

• A feature interview with Sheryl McKay and airplay on CBC Radio’s North by Northwest.

• A feature article in BC Musician Magazine

• A coveted performance spot at the 2009 ArtsWells Festival (www.artswells.com), which begins on the last day of the workshop (Friday, July 31^st) and runs until Monday, August 3, 2009.

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2009 Harp School Announced

Wed, 21 Jan 09 00:00:00 -0800

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUCES AN EXCITING LINEUP FOR THE AUGUST 2009
INTERNATIONAL HARP SCHOOL IN WELLS, BC

WELLS, BC, January 1, 2009….Wells, BC is the place to be this summer if you’re a harpist. Island Mountain Arts has just announced a great line up of instructors for its 23rd Annual International Harp School which runs from August 11 – 15, 2009. The all-star crew of harpists include Sharlene Wallace from Toronto, Lori Pappajohn from Vancouver and Sunita Staneslow from Israel. Along side this summer’s harpists, Israeli fiddle player, Gal Shahar will also travel to Wells to teach.

Once a student of Robertson’s the ever popular and innovative Sharlene Wallace returns to Wells to teach Intermediate Harp. A native of Toronto, Wallace is a renowned international recording and touring musician, with a style that is all her own. Her latest album, Anticipation, a collaboration with pianist and flutist, Susan Piltch, has received rave reviews.

Lori Pappajohn, the teacher for Beginner Harp, has been a staple at the School for many years and is revered for her ability to inspire new harpists. Best known for her work with the wildly popular Winter Harp Ensemble that travels the country, Pappajohn has released numerous CDs and has toured internationally.

Sunita Staneslow, who will be teaching Advanced Harp specializes in Celtic and Jewish music and her many harp recordings and books have built a loyal following around the globe. She often plays as a duo with fiddle player Gal Shahar, who will travel with Staneslow to Wells to teach a fiddle course geared towards playing the fiddle as an accompanying instrument.

Now running for over twenty years the International Harp School in Wells has played an important role in the development of the Celtic Harp movement in Western Canada. The great 2009 line-up reveals that the School continues to be a leader in the harp community offering an experience that is unmatched for harpists of all levels.

For more information or to register please call 1-800-442-2787, email info@imarts.com or visit www.imarts.com. The Early Bird rate is $449 plus tax (adter June 1st $499), which includes a ticket to the Annual Harp Dinner and Concert at the Sunset Theatre on August 12^th.

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January 31 - Deadline to Apply to the 2009 ArtsWells Festival

Wed, 21 Jan 09 00:00:00 -0800

Link to the ArtsWells website to download an application for:

Musicians

Visual Artists

Perfomers

Workshop Hosts

Volunteers are also needed

Call for Submissions for the IMA Public Gallery

Wed, 24 Sep 08 00:00:00 -0700

Calling All Visual Artists!

Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery Call for Submissions for 2009/2010

Island Mountain Arts is a non-profit society that promotes the literary, visual and performing arts through workshops, concerts, slide shows, talks, the ArtsWells Festival and a public Art Gallery. Formed in 1977, IMA is located in the vibrant town of Wells, near historic Barkerville, in British Columbia’s Central Interior Cariboo Mountains. IMA’s gallery is the ideal space to exhibit many types of media. This professional yet intimate gallery space is 82 linear feet and has 12-foot high ceilings. The gallery makes use of natural light that floods in through huge storefront windows, and can also adapt for floodlights and spotlights instead of sunlight. The IMA Public Gallery hosts four exhibitions from mid May to mid September each year.

Exhibition Proposals must be received by October 31st, 2008 and must include the following:

1) ARTIST INFORMATION: Name, phone number, email address, mailing address.

2) 10 – 12 CLEAR DIGITAL IMAGES (.jpg) ON CD OR 10 – 12 CLEAR SLIDES: The images will represent the type of work proposed for exhibit and at least four images will be specific works to be exhibited at Island Mountain Arts.

3) IMAGE LIST: This will detail the name, size of work, the year it was done and the medium.

4) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED EXHIBITION: This is an opportunity for the artist to describe the collection of works they wish to exhibit, motivation behind grouping these specific pieces and how they fit together.

5) ARTIST STATEMENT: This is a statement outlining artistic motivations, interests and techniques. We ask the artist to provide insight into their work and their life as a professional artist by giving a slide show or an artist’s talk at their opening

6) CURRICULUM VITAE: Biographical information or resume highlighting professional, educational and relevant facts.

7) SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

8) SELF ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE:

If you would like your materials retuned (Please make sure you have sufficient postage for safe return).

Thanks for submitting your proposal. We look forward to discussing your work with you!

The gallery committee will review all proposals submitted. Preferred method of response is via email.

Island Mountain Arts has a budget to pay an honorarium and contribute to transportation costs.

MAIL or EMAIL to:

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS & GALLERY

Box 65, Wells B.C. V0K 2R0

Toll Free: 1-800-442-2787 Local: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

e-mail: media@imarts.com

Folk Legend, Garnet Rogers to Play in Wells October 12

Tue, 23 Sep 08 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

FOLK ICON, GARNET ROGERS TO PLAY IN WELLS
AT THE ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS GALLERY OCTOBER 12, 2008

WELLS, BC, September 23, 2008…Fans of Canadian folk music may be pleased to note that Garnet Rogers will perform in the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery, at 7pm on Sunday, October 12th.

Within ten years, and barely out of high school, Garnet Rogers was on the road as a full-time working musician with his older brother Stan Rogers. Together they formed what has come to be accepted as one of the most influential acts in North American folk music.

Since then, Garnet Rogers has established himself as one of the major talents of our time. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "charismatic performer and singer", Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence - close to six and a half feet tall - with a voice to match. With his "smooth, dark baritone" (Washington Post), his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful.

Cinematic in detail, his songs "give expression to the unspoken vocabulary of the heart" (Kitchener Waterloo Record). An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humour and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again.

Tickets to this special event are $20 and are available by calling Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787 or come by the gallery in Wells.

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IMA Raffle: Win Artworks by David T. Alexander and Toni Onley

Tue, 23 Sep 08 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

Artworks by David T. Alexander and Toni Onley Part of the 2008 Island Mountain Arts Raffle

WELLS, BC, September 23, 2008…..There are some great prizes to be won from the Island Mountain Arts raffle, which is raising money for the ArtsWells Festival, the IMA Public Gallery and its arts programs for children.

The top prizes in the raffle are an Original Monoprint by David T. Alexander entitled “Brew” (value $2800), and an Original Serigraph Print by Toni Onley entitled “Golden Ear’s Peak” (value $1100). Other prizes in the raffle include gold nugget jewellery by Mark Castignoli, family packages to Barkerville Historic Town, tickets to the 2009 ArtsWells Festival , a painting by past Wells’ resident, Shirley Ann Royer and a signed copy of “The Trail of 1858” a gold-rush history book produced by CBC’s Mark Forsyth.

David T. Alexander was one of the mentors at this summer’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project. For over thirty years, his work has received recognition from curators and critics worldwide. His expressive, energetic style is characterized by a deliberate re-ordering of traditional elements of composition, perspective and colour. David’s work is found in public and private collections around the world.

Toni Onley (1928 – 2004) is one of Canada’s most recognized and beloved artists. In 2007 Island Mountain Arts renamed the Wells Artists’ Project to the Toni Onley Artists’ Project in honour of the world renowned BC artist. Onley very much embodied the spirit of the Artists’ Project, having had a great passion for going into remote areas in order to gain inspiration. We are pleased to include in this raffle an original print donated by the Toni Onley Estate.

The raffle will be drawn on October 31, 2008, so there is only one month left to buy your tickets and help support the work of Island Mountain Arts. There are 1000 tickets for sale at the selling price of $20 each. To purchase raffle tickets contact Island Mountain Arts at info@imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787, or locally at 250-994-3466.

For more information about the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts, Public Gallery or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com, www.artswells.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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Merritt Based Artist Evelyn Armstrong Comes to Wells

Wed, 27 Aug 08 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jessica Hanna

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: info@imarts.com

FLOW

Multi-media Installation by Merritt Artist Evelyn Armstrong
Opening & Artist Talk August 15^th at 7pm

This August through September, visual and sculptural artist Evelyn Armstrong will showcase her curious sculptural installation at the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery. This exhibit is an earth-based enquiry in which Evelyn focuses her artistic investigation towards the passage of time, human interactions in the natural world and environmental loss. Examples of Evelyn’s examination are shown through pieces that involve melting ice from one object into another. The entire installation is meant to convey thoughts about who we are in the world, where we have been, and how we might interact These works are also symbolic of how Evelyn views the natural and human elements of earth.

In addition to her MFA, Evelyn has also completed a second degree in Liberal Studies at Simon Fraser University and is currently working on a doctoral study in Visual Arts at IDSVA. Her teaching experiences include developing curriculum for The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, course work with the University College of the Cariboo (now TRU) and with Emily Carr College of Art and Design (now ECIAD). She has had many solo shows and her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. This Exhibition runs from August 15th until September 30 and is open to the public. Evelyn will be available at the opening for questions and comments on August15th. Evelyn will also be teaching a life-drawing course this year for the Island Mountain School of the Arts For more information about Island Mountain Arts visit www.imarts.com or phone 1-800-442-2787.

To find out more about this exhibition both artists will be present at the opening in order to talk about their work and answer questions.

For more information about the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts, Public Gallery or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787

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Sonia Cornwall (1919 - 2006) Exhibition, Cariboo Cowboy, Opens July 18

Thu, 03 Jul 08 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

CARIBOO COWBOY, AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY COWBOY AND ARTIST
SONIA CORNWALL (1919 – 2006) OPENS AT THE
ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS GALLERY IN WELLS, BC JULY 18^TH, 2008

WELLS, BC, July 3, 2008…..The Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in Wells, BC is pleased to announce the Opening of Cariboo Cowboy, paintings by prolific Cariboo artist, Sonia Cornwall (1919 – 2006) on Friday, July 18at 7:00pm. The exhibition, featuring works that illustrate Cornwall’s experience growing up on a ranch at 150 Mile House, runs until August 11.

Cornwall was born in Kamloops in 1919, and soon moved to the Onward Ranch, just south of Williams Lake with her mother and father, Vivien (1893 – 1990) and Charles Cowan (1863 – 1939). From one of the earliest ranching families in the Cariboo, Sonia Cornwall learned from a young age about life on the ranch and when her father died in 1939, she took up many of the duties associated with running it. Cornwall continued to ranch, alongside her husband Hugh Cornwall, for most of the rest of her life, living on the Jones Lake Ranch, once part of the Onward, until she died in 2006. In recognition for her and Hugh’s contributions to ranching in British Columbia, they were both inducted into the BC Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2005.

Alongside her deep connection with ranching, Cornwall grew up around an extremely vibrant arts community, generated to a large degree by her mother Vivien Cowan who was also a painter and teacher of great note. Vivien Cowan began to seriously study art in the 1940s where she met the likes of Zelko Kujundzic, founder of the Kootenay School of the Arts and A.Y. Jackson, founding member of the Group of Seven and teacher at the Banff School, both of whom ended up spending much time at the Onward Ranch. Word spread in the Canadian artists community and over the years endless artists, including Lilias Torrance Newton, Joseph Plaskett, Takao Tanabe, Molly Bobak, Herbert Siebner and Jack Hardman, gravitated towards the Onward to paint, weave, do pottery, share and teach. The Cariboo Art Society, one of the first Art Society’s to be created outside of Vancouver was co-founded by Vivien Cowan and A.Y. Jackson in 1946.

Carrying on much in her mother’s footsteps, Cornwall welcomed to her ranch many a traveller, from artists to cowboys and everyone in between. As she got older and turned her ranch over to her daughter Mabel and her husband, Sonia’s focus turned more and more towards her art practice and she would often have people over to discuss art and look through her own impressive collection of art books and prominent Canadian artworks. Self taught, yet mentored by her mother and the many artists that she knew, Cornwall was extremely dedicated to her painting, in fact just before she passed away she was in Mexico further exploring her watercolour technique.

Cariboo Cowboy features over thirty paintings that reveal Cornwall’s connection to the rural landscape in which she lived: rolling grasslands, ever-changing skies, grazing cattle, stampedes and cowboys. The exhibition is curated by Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator of Island Mountain Arts, with the help of Sonia Cornwall’s two daughters Mary and Mabel Cornwall.

For more information about Cariboo Cowboy, the Public Gallery, Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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Elvis Comes to Island Mountain Arts

Fri, 06 Jun 08 00:00:00 -0700

Elvis Lives On Through Kamloops Artist, Patricia Sellmer & Writer, Alexander Forbes in their Show...
Sun Records & Texaco Stadiums

Exhibition Opening & Artist Talk June 20th 7pm at the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery
Show runs until July 14

Elvis Presley (1935 – 1977) is one of the most enigmatic characters of the 20th Century. Though he never toured outside of North America his musical reach touched all corners of the globe and crossed many cultural boundaries. The appeal that Elvis had, and still has over thirty years after his death, forever begs further investigation. Through the exhibition of artist Tricia Sellmer and poet Alexander Forbes entitled, Sun Records and Texaco Stadiums, one is prompted to delve into the mystery and charm that surrounds this man.

Indeed Elvis Aaron Presley reached the greatest of those heights becoming arguably the most famous musician that has ever lived. He has garnered fans so dedicated that they still arrive by the hundreds of thousands each year to pay homage in Graceland, or spend their lives literally becoming him, by dressing in his likeness and touring the world singing his beloved music.

Questions come to mind as one does the sock hop amongst the images put to canvas by Tricia Sellmer. Portraits – some lighter, some darker – following Elvis through the stages of his career, radiate the essence of a man so strong and captivating, whose emotion rises to the surface with bold painterly strokes. These alongside a series of paintings of popular culture icons, synonymous with Elvis, including an ice cream sundae, Cadillac and juke box, reveal Sellmer’s own curiosity and love affair with nostalgia that punctuates the imagery.

Further building the picture, Alexander Forbes’ poetry mirrors the mystery explored through the artwork. Like Sellmer’s paintings, Forbes examines both the dark and light sides of Elvis’ life, such as the record shop in Vancouver that he was rumoured to have visited in his poem, Elvis in Vancouver. “Every musician ended up at Al’s grocery and record store at least once,” writes Forbes. Also contemplating the ambiguity of Elvis’death, Forbes poem Two Days, asks the reader to ponder the fact that Elvis died at the same age that his mother did – forty-two – and only two days from the anniversary of her death. “Imagine what he must have felt, two days before he died,” writes Forbes.

The images of Tricia Sellmer and the words of Alexander Forbes in Sun Records and Texaco Stadiums pay homage to Elvis Presley, one of the world’s most loved and praised icons of our time. Together their works beg of the viewer to dig deeper into the myths that surround this larger than life character. As much as he lived his life in front of an audience, whether it was on the 1956 television history-making-episode of Ed Sullivan where they couldn’t film his swinging hips; or in his thirty-one Hollywood movies made between 1956 and 1969, there is much about Elvis that one can never know. Sellmer and Forbes offer one more exploration into the man behind the myth, helping to honour his legacy, incite thoughtful reflection, and remind the audience that Elvis indeed lives on.

To find out more about this exhibition both artists will be present at the Opening in order to talk about their work and answer questions. For more information about the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts, Public Gallery or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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ArtsWells Festival Line-up Announced

Sun, 01 Jun 08 00:00:00 -0700

THE 5TH ANNUAL ARTSWELLS FESTIVAL OF ALL THINGS ART, AUGUST 1 – 4
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE UNTIL JUNE 30TH

SPECIAL TICKET PRICE FOR WELLS/BARKERVILLE/BOWRON LAKE RESIDENTS AND WORKERS
ADULT WEEKEND PASS ONLY $20 – MUST BE PURCHASED BY JULY 25!

WELLS, BC, May 4, 2008…..Island Mountain Arts in Wells/Barkerville, British Columbia is very pleased to announce its spectacular line up of musicians, performers, and artists of all kinds for the 5^th Annual ArtsWells Festival this August 1 – 4.

Growing bigger and better every year, the ArtsWells Festival features over forty musical acts in a variety of genres, on six different stages from Friday night to Monday evening. The Festival is also hosting the 9^th Annual International One Minute Play Festival on Sunday night, professional theatre performances at the Sunset Theatre, workshops in a diverse array of artistic pursuits, a visual art walk around the town, fun stuff for kids and discounts to local attractions and businesses including BC’s largest heritage site, Barkerville Historic Town.

Some highlights from the 2008 musical line up include performances by: country crooner – Carolyn Mark; spoken word blues crew – The CR Avery Band; award-winning bluegrass band – The D. Rangers from Winnipeg; the tropical sounds of Blue Island Trio; rising urban music star – Green TaRA; northern BC’s own groovy funk band – Mamaguroove; top spoken word poet – Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long ; fingerstyle champion – Don Alder; Eastern electronica fusion act – KaremetiK Collective; multi-instrumentalist – Shane Philip; country folk band – Headwater; West African world beat band – Jarimba; country/folk/celtic trio – The Pucks; radical folk - The Joey Only Outlaw Band; folk rocker from Calgary – Kris Demeanor; queen of country – Linda McRae and many, many more.

Beyond the music the ArtsWells Festival showcases over 30 workshops in everything from stilt walking and poi, drumming and dance, laughter yoga, writing, book-making and all arts in between. The One Minute Play Festival with host Paul Crawford is another perennial favourite where all are welcome to compete for cash prizes. Also in the performance arena, the historic Sunset Theatre will be featuring a play all weekend called the Fred Wells Show: The Wizard of the Cariboo, starring, James Douglas. For visual arts one can peruse the six arts galleries in Wells and participate the in Art Flag project to decorate historic Pooley Street. All this along with face painting, games and arts for kids make the ArtsWells Festival perfect for the whole family.

Arrive on Thursday, July 31st and take in the pre-festival concert at the Sunset Theatre with the awe-inspiring virtuoso Brazilian guitar player and percussionist, Celso Machado and fingerstyle champ, Don Alder. Tickets $25, $5 off for ArtsWells pass holders and Island Mountain Arts members.

Tickets for the 2008 ArtsWells Festival are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the IMA gallery at 1-800-442-2787. Call by June 30 and buy your pass for the early bird rate of $40 and $20 for youth. Regular priced tickets are $60 for Adults and $30 for youth. Kids 12 and under are free. The Fred Wells Show at the Sunset Theatre is a separate ticketed event.

ArtsWells is seeking more volunteers to help make this summer’s festival better than ever. Those that can volunteer twelve hours or more can receive festival passes, camping, plus meals at the ArtsWells kitchen, run by Martin Comtois of the Ashcroft Opera House.

For more information about the ArtsWells Festival, Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts or the Public Gallery visit www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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Beata Polanska Exhibition - Where Do I Come From? - Opens May 16

Fri, 02 May 08 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION BY NORTHERN BC ARTIST, BEATA POLANSKA,
OPENS AT THE ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS GALLERY IN WELLS MAY 16^TH

WELLS, BC, April 29, 2008…..The Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in Wells, BC is pleased to announce the Opening of northern BC artist, Beata Polanska’s Exhibition of photography, Where Do I Come From? Images from Poland on Friday, May 16^th, 2008 at 7:00pm. The Exhibition runs until June 16th.

“This series of images is inspired by the mood of places familiar to me since childhood,” explains Polanska who took the photos in or around three Polish cities; Warszawa, Lublin and Nysa. The latter two, located on the outskirts of the country (Lublin by the eastern border with Belarus and Ukraine, and Nysa in the South West).

“[These places] have largely escaped the commercialization, and glossification imported with the new world order,” says Polanska who is interested in the story that these abstract architectural images portray. “Their stories can be guessed from the layers, cracks, peeling paint, bulging veins, lined and wrinkled faces, and broken glass panes.”

Beata Polanska grew up in Poland when the sounds of rock and roll were only faintly audible from across the wall. She took her first photos with a Russian made Smiena, and sharpened her dark room skills in a government run youth cultural center.

At the age of 20, she gave into wanderlust and lived in France, Italy, Toronto, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, finally settling in northern British Columbia where she has worked as a speech-language pathologist for the past 15 years.

To find out more about this fascinating exhibition and life story, Polanska will be present at the Opening in order to talk about her work and answer questions.

For more information about the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts, Public Gallery or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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IMA Grows It's Endowment Fund to Over $50,000 in First Year!

Thu, 17 Apr 08 00:00:00 -0700

After a successful summer fundraiser, where thanks to over thirty artists who donated works to Island Mountain Arts for a 30^th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction, and thanks to Levis Online Auctions in Calgary, the organization was able to invest $10,000 in an endowment fund. The fund was established in order to provide ongoing scholarships for programs at the IMA School of the Arts including the Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists.

“Our goal was to raise at least $10,000 so that we could apply to the Vancouver Foundation’s BC Renaissance Fund, which matches monies raised to start endowments,” said Dennis Bogle, President of IMA. But thanks to the Quesnel Community Foundation, which also matched the Island Mountain Arts $10,000 investment, the organization was able to approach the Vancouver Foundation with a $20,000 endowment.

“We are very excited about the potential to grow our endowment fund after seeing what our first $10,000 could do,” said IMA’s Artistic Director/Curator, Julie Fowler. “We hope it will help Island Mountain Arts to be sustainable for another thirty years.”

Fowler went on to say, that in addition to the BC Renaissance Fund, Island Mountain Arts also applied to an endowment-matching program through Heritage Canada that fetched the organization a further $10,535, bringing the total fund to $50,535.

“I would certainly encourage other arts organizations, or any non-profit organizations to consider starting an endowment fund. It has been a great experience to work with the Quesnel Community Foundation and there is so much potential to make your investment grow,” said Fowler.

Island Mountain Arts is already planning for another big online auction in 2009, and this summer is running a raffle with numerous prizes including an original work by artist David T. Alexander, who is also one of the senior artist mentors at this summer’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project.

For more information about the Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts, Public Gallery or the ArtsWells Festival visit www.imarts.com.

Help Wanted! IMA Seaking Creative, Motivated Individuals for 2008 Summer Staff

Tue, 08 Apr 08 00:00:00 -0700

It’s that time of year again! IMA is soliciting applications from energetic, creative folks who are passionate about the arts to fill six possible positions this summer. (All positions are subject to funding.) For more details on each job, click on the job title. We have four openings specifically for students which are:

- Summer Gallery Program Manager - May to August
- Summer Program Liaison - June to August
- Program Outreach Assistant - May to September
- Special Events and Marketing Co-coordinator - May to September

We also have two job openings related to the ArtsWells Festival (applicants to these two positions must be EI eligible) which are:

- Public Art Coordinator - April to November
- Community Liaison - April to November

For more information or to submit a resume, call (1-800-442-2787) or email (finance@imarts.com) the IMA office (we are open from Tuesday to Thursday). Deadline to submit resumes is April 18, 2008.

Eat Your Art Out Fundraiser a Huge Success!!

Wed, 02 Apr 08 00:00:00 -0700

The Eat Your Art Out Fundraising Dinner held by IMA on March 8 was a huge success and with 100 people in attendance IMA was able to raise about $3000! The night started out with an amazing dance presentation by Quesnel's own Giddha Team. They enthralled the audience with their theatrical dancing and incredible outfits. Afterwards a beautiful Indian dinner was served up by IMA board members and volunteers. Many thanks to Head Cook Sharon Brown for a mouth-watering feast! Cass Chowdhury's Gulab Jamun dessert was a huge hit served up with hot Chai. After dinner the Giddha team stepped back into the spotlight with not one, but two fashion shows! There was also a silent auction and an amazing raffle comprised of donations from local and regional businesses. Felice Trotter-Wanner and Tod Church added something special with their beautiful Indian wares set up for sale. Needless to say, everyone left with a smile on their face.

Many heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who made the evening possible as well as all the sponsors and donors and especially the Quesnel Giddha Team for their amazing contribution to the evening. And of course a special thanks to everyone who attended the event, we hope you had as much fun as we did! As with everything IMA does, this spectacular event would not have been possible without our dedicated volunteers!

EAT YOUR ART OUT! A Tasty Fundraiser Announced for Island Mountain Arts

Fri, 08 Feb 08 00:00:00 -0800

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

EAT YOUR ART OUT! – ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUCES A UNIQUE AND TASTY FUNDRAISER

WELLS, BC, February 6th, 2008….Island Mountain Arts, the thirty-year old arts organization in historic Wells, BC that runs an annual School of the Arts, Public Gallery and the ever growing ArtsWells Festival is hosting a series of fundraising dinners through the month of March called “Eat Your Art Out!”

Kicking off with an East Indian themed full course dinner at the Wells Community Hall Banquet Room on March 8^th with food prepared by Wells’ resident chef, Sharon Brown and entertainment by Quesnel’s own Indian dance troupe – Giddha Team, “Eat Your Art Out” also aims to host twenty “rolling” dinners around the province in a variety of culinary flavours.

The rolling dinners will take place in the homes of Island Mountain Arts supporters who are willing to champion a meal for their friends and collect donations in support of the non-profit organization. IMA has created a “How to Host” package for all those that are willing to be part of this creative fundraiser, which includes some special prizes for those who attend and entry into the larger draw to win an original Toni Onley Serigraph Print (valued at $1000).

“As the artists, art enthusiasts, students and members, who support the programming at IMA, are from all over the province and country, we thought that this rolling dinner idea would be a fun way to get them involved no matter where they live. Big or small, the rolling dinners are a great opportunity to get together with your friends and share a meal in support of the arts,” says organizer and member of the IMA Board, Cariboo songstress, Yael Wand.

With the lofty goal of trying to raise $10 000 in order to help support the operations of the organization, “Eat You Art Out” is calling on all its supporters to eat, drink and donate what they can to help make this event a great success. For those interested in hosting a dinner, all the details are listed on the IMA website at www.imarts.com.

For those of you in the Cariboo who are able to attend the ‘kick off’ East Indian themed dinner in Wells on March 8^th, tickets are $40/ea or $275 for a table of eight. RSVP (no later than March 3rd) by contacting Island Mountain Arts at 1.800.442.278 or info@imarts.com. Tickets are also available at River Valley Health on Reid Street in Quesnel (cash only please). The full course meal includes a beer or wine of your choice. There will also be a no host bar featuring selected wines by Kelowna’s award-winning House of Rose Winery. No minors please.

There’s More: Come ready to raffle: original artworks by Paula Scott, Caroline Anders, Wells Get-a-ways and many more prizes. Stay the night: Dinner Guests receive a 10% discount at the Historic Wells Hotel. Reserve early: 1.800.860.2299 or 250.994.3427, www.wellshotel.com. For a list of other accommodations contact Island Mountain Arts.

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Scholarships and Mentors for the 2008 Toni Onley Artists' Project Announced

Fri, 08 Feb 08 00:00:00 -0800

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director/Curator
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE
2008 TONI ONLEY ARTISTS’ PROJECT FOR PROFRESSIONAL AND EMERGING ARTISTS

WELLS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, February 1^st, 2008….Island Mountain Arts School of the Arts is pleased to announce scholarship opportunities for visual artists to the juried 2008 Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists (formerly named the Wells Artists’ Project). Two four-day scholarships to cover tuition are available*. The 2008 program will feature the internationally renowned artists, Peter von Tiesenhausen and David Alexander as senior mentors over the course of the program which runs over nine days from Saturday, July 19 – Sunday, July 27, 2008 (with a day off in the middle). Participants will be provided studio space and direct and peer group mentorship with daily one on one critiques with the mentor artists and peers.

*If you are an artist from the Cariboo Region you are eligible to apply to the Sonia Cornwall Scholarship, which covers the full 8-day tuition. Some bursaries are also available, visit www.imarts.com for details.

How is it funded?
Island Mountain Arts Gallery and Summer School of the Arts is a not-for-profit society founded in 1977 in the historic, central interior community of Wells, British Columbia, Canada. You can access their web page at www.imarts.com or contact the Artistic Director/Curator, Julie Fowler at 1-800-442-2787 or by e-mail at media@imarts.com.

How much is it?
Each scholarship is worth $430 and can be applied to the eight-day program should the recipient wish to take advantage of the full eight-days of 2008 Project.

What are the Selection Criteria?
Based on a review of the application materials and the following considerations, Island Mountain Arts will select two individuals to receive scholarships. Scholarships will be awarded through a juried process based on the following criteria. Island Mountain Arts reserves the right to change these criteria if the submissions warrant.

Applications must include the following:

Ø       Show a commitment to their art practice.
Ø       A letter stating what they hope to gain from this experience
Ø       Provide a current CV and artist statement
Ø       Provide 6 - 10 images of artwork created in the last year either as slides or digital images.
Ø       A commitment to attend the course if accepted

What is the application deadline?
Thursday, May 9th, 2008 (successful applicants will be notified no later than May 30th)

How do I apply for this scholarship?
Mail the above requested information to:

Toni Onley Artists’ Project - Scholarship
Island Mountain Arts
PO Box 65, Wells, BC, V0K 2R0, Canada

For more information about the 2008 Toni Onley Artists’ Project visit www.imarts.com.

Blockbuster Lineup Announced for the 2008 Celtic Harp School

Wed, 31 Oct 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler

Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)

Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUCES AN EXCITING LINEUP FOR THE AUGUST 2008 INTERNATIONAL CELTIC HARP SCHOOL IN WELLS, BC

WELLS, BC, October 31, 2007….Wells, BC is the place to be this summer if you’re a Celtic harpist. Island Mountain Arts has just announced a stellar line up of instructors for its 22^nd Annual International Celtic Harp School which runs from August 12 – 16, 2008. The all-star crew of harpists include Kim Robertson from the United States, Lori Pappajohn from Vancouver, Sunita Staneslow from Israel and Sharlene Wallace from Toronto. Along side this summer’s harpists, Israeli fiddle player, Gal Shahar will also travel to Wells to teach.

“Every one of the past 22 years has been wonderful - but my expectations for this coming season are as high as they could possibly be. Island Mountain will always be indebted to Kim for supporting us in the early years; here's a chance for many to come and take her class and say thanks!” said IMA Board member and creator of the Celtic Harp School, Marilyn Rummel.

As Rummel indicates Island Mountain Arts is very excited to bring back the imminent Kim Robertson who has been involved with the Celtic Harp School since the early years. One of the most popular harpists performing today, Robertson is a pioneer in the American folk harp movement, her original compositions and arrangements of traditional Celtic music have stretched the boundaries of the harp for a new generation of performers. Robertson will be teaching Advanced Harp this summer.

Sunita Staneslow, who will be teaching Early Intermediate Harp specializes in Celtic and Jewish music and her many harp recordings and books have built a loyal following around the globe. She often plays as a duo with fiddle player Gal Shahar, who will travel with Staneslow to Wells to teach a fiddle course geared towards playing the fiddle as an accompanying instrument.

Now running for over twenty years the International Celtic Harp School in Wells has played an important role in the development of the Celtic Harp movement in Western Canada. The blockbuster line-up in 2008 reveals that the School continues to be a leader in the harp community offering an experience that is unmatched for harpists of all levels.

For more information or to register please call 1-800-442-2787, email info@imarts.com or visit www.imarts.com. IMA is pleased to keep tuition rates the same as last summer with an Early Bird rate of $429 plus tax, which includes a ticket to the Annual Harp Dinner and Concert at the Sunset Theatre on August 13^th.

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30 x 30 Exhibit and Auction a Huge Success!

Sun, 16 Sep 07 00:00:00 -0700

Island Mountain Arts exceeded all expectations by raising $14,000 with its 30th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction called the 30 x 30 which ran July 20 to August 13, 2007.

Thirty-eight artists from across the country were involved in the 30 x 30, donating a work roughly 30" x 30" in size, which were exhibited at the Island Mountain Arts Gallery and then auctioned off in order to raise money to start an endowment fund to provide ongoing scholarships to IMA programs.

Our goal was to raise at least $10,000 so that we could apply to the BC Renaissance Fund, which will match monies raised to start endowments. Thanks to the generosity of the artists who participated and from the people who bid on the works we were able to well exceed our goal, says Dennis Bogle, President of IMA.

Works from artists such as Robert Bateman, Paula Scott, Marie Nagel, Richard Reid, Ken Flett and a host of others were exhibited in the gallery and online at Levis Fine Art Auctions in Calgary, with final bids being placed at the end of the exhibition.

The exhibition and auction was one success among a number, which took place this year for Island Mountain Arts in its 30th year of operations. The award-winning ArtsWells Festival, which ran during the August Long Weekend, brought record numbers of people and artists to town in its fourth year.

Also in 2007 the Wells Artists’ Project was re-named to the Toni Onley Artists’ Project, in order to honour the renown BC painter and to signify the launching of the future project of the Toni Onley School, which plans to run eight month residencies in Wells for professional and emerging visual artists.

IMA also began working with the estate of beloved Cariboo painter and Cowboy Hall of Famer, Sonia Cornwall (1919 - 2006) and has created an annual scholarship in her name to provide one emerging Cariboo artist with the full tuition to attend the Toni Onley Artists’ Project. Watch for an exhibition of Sonia Cornwall’s work next summer in the IMA Gallery.

With a very successful 30th year under its belt the multi-facetted Island Mountain Arts is looking ahead to another great 30 years, continuing to build and promote arts and culture in Wells, the Cariboo region and the province of British Columbia.

ArtsWells Festival This Weekend!!!!

Wed, 01 Aug 07 00:00:00 -0700

Ruthie Sumiko Tabata or Tyler Doerksen

Island Mountain Arts Society, ArtsWells Festival Coordinators

(250) 994-3466 or 1 (800) 442-ARTS (2787)

artswellsfestival@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS is proud to present the:

4Th Annual
ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art

August 3 - 6, 2007, Wells/Barkerville BC

Weekend Passes: Adults $40, Youth 13 - 18 $20, 12 and under free

Call 1-800-442-2787 - only 750 tickets available!

Brimming with the dynamic talent of over one hundred artists/performers, the ArtsWells Festival, staged in the historic mountain hamlet of Wells, BC on the August Long Weekend,

is fast becoming BC’s largest multidisciplinary Indie arts festival.

Taking place over 4 days and on 5 stages (outdoor and indoor) on the August Long Weekend, August 3 – 6, 2007, in Wells and Barkerville, BC, ArtsWells is a multidisciplinary festival featuring live performances, workshops, and visual arts from across the Cariboo region, the province and the country.

Over 40 musical acts will perform a wide range of musical genres including folk, alternative, jazz, acoustic, world, rock, hip-hop, soul, reggae, funk, ska, country, roots, electronic, progressive, freestyle, and pop. The ever popular, 8th International One Minute Play Festival, where all are welcome to perform a play in one minute for cash prizes, is now accepting submissions (there is also a category for the one minute excuse as to why you did not write a one minute play).

ArtsWells offers more than 30 diverse workshops including songwriting, bellydancing, djembe drumming and mandala making. Activities for kids of all ages include the Rosie Snow puppet show, face painting, hula-hooping, and parachute games.

The visually stimulating ArtWalk, which takes place at locations throughout the town, including Wells’ galleries and businesses, features local and visiting artists, artisans, and craftspeople selling their wares. This year’s ArtWalk also features the Island Mountain Arts, 30^th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction called the 30 x 30 Exhibition which showcases 30 artists who have donated works in celebration of the society’s thirty years of art in the heart of the Cariboo.

Developing a reputation as the best new festival on the block, festival-goers and artists alike return each year for the great hospitality and natural beauty of Wells, as well as, the ability to see and mingle with a wide array of amazing talent from across the country. Visitors to the area can also take advantage of hikes in the local mountains and discounts to local attractions like Barkerville Historic Town - where you can catch more ArtsWells musical acts.

30th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction Opens Friday, July 20, 7pm

Mon, 09 Jul 07 00:00:00 -0700

IN HONOUR OF ITS 30^TH ANNIVERSARY, ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PRESENTS:

THE 30 x 30 EXHIBITION AND AUCTION FROM JULY 20 TO AUGUST 13, 2007

WELLS, BC, July 5, 2007… In celebration of its 30^th Anniversary, Island Mountain Arts in Wells, BC is pleased to present, the “30x30 Exhibition and Auction,” featuring over thirty visual artists who have generously donated works to raise funds for the organization. Opening at 7:00pm on Friday, July 20 and running through to August 13, this special anniversary exhibition is worth a visit.

Composed of over 30 artworks, roughly 30 x 30 in size, the “30 x 30 Exhibition” can be viewed and bid on online through Levis Fine Art Auctions in Calgary (www.levisonlineauctions.com), as well as in the gallery during the course of the exhibition. The final day to bid on the works is Saturday, August 11^th.

Proceeds from the sale of the artworks will go towards the creation of a fund to provide scholarships for students attending the Island Mountain Arts’ School of the Arts and the Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 in order to start an endowment fund to provide ongoing scholarships to our programs. If we reach our goal we can apply to the BC Renaissance Fund, which will match our contribution dollar for dollar,” says Artistic Director and Curator, Julie Fowler.

The exhibition features local artists such as sculptor, Bert de Vink, wood turner, Ron Dunn, potter, Joan Beck and painters, Marie Nagel and Claire Kujundzic, as well as internationally known artists Robert Murray, Toni Onley, Michael Kluckner, Sherrard Grauer, Robert Bateman and many more.

“We went back through the history of Island Mountain Arts to find artists who had been involved with the organization over its 30 years of operation. This exhibition represents an incredible survey of the fine artists who have passed through our school or gallery doors, as well as artists who are in support of the mandate of the organization. To have received such a generous response to our call for artists, is a testament to the years of service that Island Mountain Arts has contributed in order to promote and support the arts and culture of the Cariboo,” says Fowler.

Don’t miss this opportunity to view and bid on this incredible selection of artworks. Please feel free to stop by the gallery seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, or view the pieces online and make a bid by visiting www.levisonlineauctions.com. Also please join us for the Opening of this special exhibition, Friday, July 20^th at 7:00pm. For more information please call IMA at 1-800-443-ARTS (2787) or visit our website at www.imarts.com. A special thanks to Doug Levis for providing the opportunity for us to post the works online through his auction house.

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Youth Theatre for Social Change workshop in Quesnel Aug 13 - 16

Sun, 08 Jul 07 00:00:00 -0700

Island Mountain Arts, School District 28 and Street Spirits Theatre Company present Theatre for Social Change (August 13 to 16 in Quesnel), a course aimed at addressing social issues through interactive performing arts

Quesnel, BC, July 5, 2007—Island Mountain Arts, in collaboration with School District 28 and Street Spirits Theatre Company, is proud to offer Theatre for Social Change, a course in Quesnel on social action through performing arts. The course runs from August 13 through 16 at the Mary Helen Dixon Centre in Quesnel. It is available to youth aged 12 to 18.

The course begins by teaching physical acting. Participants become attuned to their bodies in order to express thoughts, feelings, and actions. They learn play creation techniques that allow them to create plot, dialoge, and action, expressing a complete story. Following this, students learn to collaborate with audience members in seeking solutions to social problems. By the end of the workshop, participants will have learned a process called ‘The Narrated Image’ in which a basic storyline is transformed into a complete play.

Over the past ten years Andrew Burton has developed the process of ‘Actorvism’ as a technique to address social problems in the world. Burton teaches a range of techniques and runs the Street Spirits Theatre Company, a repertory company of young actors who perform social action theatre across North America.

For more information about Theatre for Social Change or to register, call Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787, or email info@imarts.com. Also check out the website at www.imarts.com. The course fee is $209.

Contact: Julie Fowler

Tel: 250-994-3644 Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

Web: www.imarts.com

NOW ONLY $50!!!! Songwriting and Poetry in Rhythm Musical Day Camp

Sun, 01 Jul 07 00:00:00 -0700

REGISTER NOW FOR ONLY $50 FOR SONGWRITING AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY WITH CORWIN FOX, KIA KADIRI AND SARAH NONI METZNER, JULY 31 – AUGUST 3

WELLS, BC, July 10, 2007…. Island Mountain Arts in Wells, BC has reduced the course fee to only $50 for Songwriting and Spoken Word Poetry Musical Day Camp for 6 – 18 year olds from July 31 – August 3 with Corwin Fox, Kia Kadiri and Sarah Noni Metzner. Register for this amazing four-day course for only $175.

This unique course focuses on both writing and performance and will teach students how to get comfortable in the rhythm of song and spoken word. Splitting into different age groups, students will learn musical theory, improvisation and lyric-writing, plus Corwin Fox will be bringing his mobile recording unit so students can learn how to record their new songs and rhymes. Students in the workshop will also have the opportunity to perform on the last evening of class at the Sunset Theatre as part of the Opening of the ArtsWells Festival.

Professional BC musicians Corwin Fox, Kia Kadiri and Sarah Noni Metzner each bring their own musical perspectives to the program, providing young people with a diverse learning experience aimed at facilitating self-expression.

Corwin Fox is a musician, producer and co-founder of Coqi Records out of Victoria, BC. Originally from Ottawa, he has been playing and performing for over fifteen years and is a regular at the Smither’s Guitar Camp and the Power of Hope in Victoria where he teaches music to young people.

Kia Kadiri, returns to Island Mountain Arts to teach the spoken word portion of the workshop. An accomplished and well-known musician in the BC Hip Hop scene, Kadiri has the artistic depth, vocal skills, dynamic stage presence and universal message to inspire wherever she goes. She has spent much of the last year touring to high schools to inspire young people through Hip Hop music.

Sarah Noni Metzner has just released her second album Daybreak Mourning on Dog My Cat Records and has spent much of the last year touring across North America. Her unique performance fuses folk with blues, cabaret, slam poetry, live loops, bluegrass, funk and jazz, steeping audiences in a rhythmical and powerful art form. She has worked alongside Corwin Fox at the Power of Hope, teaching young people about songwriting.

All three of these talented musicians will be performing at the ArtsWells Festival, which begins on Friday, August 3^rd (the last day of class), as well as at an instructor concert that is free for students at the Sunset Theatre on July 31^st at 7:30pm.

For more information call 1-800-442-2787 or visit the Island Mountain Arts website at www.imarts.com.

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for more information about the course please click here for 6 - 11 years olds and here for 12 - 18 year olds

Win a Scholarship to Video-Film Production for Young People - Deadline Friday, June 22, 5pm!

Sun, 17 Jun 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

WIN A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND A THREE-DAY VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WELLS, BC, JUNE 30 – JULY 2

WELLS, BC, June 17, 2007….Island Mountain Arts in Wells, BC is offering two scholarships to attend a three-day Film/Video Production Workshop for Young People (Ages 10 – 18) from June 30 – July 2, 2007 in Wells, BC. One scholarship will be awarded to a 10 – 13 year old and the other to a 14 – 18 year old entrant.

This three-day video-making program is an opportunity for young people to learn to create short films about their vision for a better world. It is a journey into the process of creative collaboration and an opportunity for youth to speak up about the change they want to see in their lives, their community and the world.

Students will learn how to use a video camera, set up lighting, compose a shot, create a plot around an issue of their choice and translate these skills into a film that expresses their unique perspectives.

The video shorts made during the course are hosted on ReelYouth.ca for the youth to distribute as they desire. They will also be entered into the Reel Youth Film Festival; a youth juried film festival touring nationally in the fall of 2007.

Facilitator Mark Vonesch travels the world teaching video production skills to youth and is the Founder and Director of Reel Youth, an organization dedicated to youth empowerment through filmmaking.

To enter the scholarship contest you must act fast! Send an email by 5pm, June 22, 2007 to media@imarts.com stating what you would like to speak up about in your community. The scholarship covers tuition valued at $335. Winners will be notified by June 23, 2007. For more information or to simply register for this course call Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787. For more information on Reel Youth please visit their website at www.reelyouth.ca.

Artswells Pre-Festival Showcase! Joey Only Outlaw Band Live in Prince George, Monday, June 25, 8pm

Tue, 12 Jun 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
June 12, 2007

Contact: Ruthie Sumiko Tabata, ArtsWells Festival Coordinator

For Immediate Release
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: artswellsfestival@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS is proud to present the:

ArtsWells Pre-Festival Showcases in Prince George

The Joey Only Outlaw Band
The Cottonweeds with Raghu Lokanathan & Jeremy Stewart
and Dave Routley
June 25, 2007
at ArtSpace1685 3rd Ave, Prince George

Tickets are $10 at Ruins (and Books & Company?) in Prince George
All Ages
For more information or tickets call Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787.

Brimming with the dynamic talent of over one hundred artists/performers, the ArtsWells Festival, is fast becoming BC’s largest multidisciplinary Indie arts festival.

ArtsWells presents a pre-festival showcase in Prince George on Monday, June 25th, 2007 to feature highlights of the amazing talent to be presented at the 4th annual ArtsWells Festival of all Things Art, staged in the historic mountain hamlet of Wells, BC on the August Long Weekend, Aug 3-6, 2007.

JOEY ONLY OUTLAW BAND from Vancouver has been ripping up stages across Western Canada for over a year, growing quickly in popularity. Joey Only had already been traveling and singing folk music all over Canada when he decided to create the most intense and country band in all British Columbia. Relentlessly touring, practicing and playing this is one band that is rising quickly. (www.joeyonly.com)

THE COTTONWEEDS are a roots music duo based in Prince George, BC, consisting of Raghu Lokanathan on banjo and vocals and Jeremy Stewart on guitar and vocals. The pair have been performing to sold-out rooms in Prince George since they began playing together in winter 2005, united by a love of Americana folk music. Both established solo artists in their own right, one of Lokanathan and Stewart or the other has performed at the Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Smithers folk festivals, to name a few. As the Cottonweeds, they hope to have a great time sharing their favorite traditional songs—along with their quirky humor.

DAVE ROUTLEY is Prince George resident singer songwriter who’s sound is best described as a cross between Tracey Chapman and Jack Johnson. His CD, entitled “Six” has been released several times over and his 2nd CD will be ready in time for the ArtsWells Festival.

To view the full ArtsWells line up with links, please visit our website at www.artswells.com.

About the ArtsWells Festival

Over 4 days and on 5 (outdoor and indoor) stages, ArtsWells is a multidisciplinary event featuring over 40 live musical acts, various performances, over 30 diverse workshops, the 8th International One Minute Play Festival, visual arts displayed in an ArtWalk through the town of Wells, and kids activities. Featured artists come from across the Cariboo region, BC & Canada.

ArtsWells weekend passes: $40 for Adults, $20 for Youth (ages 13 - 18), & kids12 and under are free.

To volunteer, submit a one minute play, or for more information contact artswellsfestival@imarts.com

"In Search of Patterned Landscapes" by Michael Kluckner opens Friday, June 22, 7pm

Sat, 09 Jun 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORKS BY BC ARTIST AND HISTORIAN, MICHAEL KLUCKNER, OPENS FRIDAY, JUNE 22 AT ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PUBLIC GALLERY IN WELLS, BC

WELLS, BC, June 9, 2007…The Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in Wells, BC is pleased to present the Opening of ’In Search of Patterned Landscapes’, an exhibition of artworks by British Columbian artist and historian, Michael Kluckner, at 7pm on Friday, June 22. Kluckner will be in the gallery for an artist talk at 7pm on July 14, while he is in town to teach a 4-day watercolour workshop.

"Since the book Vanishing British Columbia was published in 2005, I’ve been trying to create a series of iconic, somewhat-abstracted-yet-more-or-less-representational landscapes of the different regions of the province" says Kluckner, of his ongoing project entitled ’In Search of Patterned Landscapes’.

In Vanishing British Columbia, Kluckner used small, traditional watercolours to capture colour and texture in the province’s diverse regions and to illustrate the text in the book; with the paintings in this exhibition he chose to go an extra step toward something less site-specific and pictorial/painterly. "What the grand Emily Carr landscapes from the 1930s did for the west-coast forests is what I would like to do for the rest of the province" explains Kluckner. "In recent years I have imagined high ground and long views; from such heights and edges, the patterns on the land appear and the canvas becomes more of a surface and less of a window, more modern and less pictorial."

Michael Kluckner is an artist and author who has written more than a dozen books, illustrated with his own watercolours, on subjects including landscape, history, and the pleasures of small-scale farming. Growing up in Vancouver, he became obsessed with the reckless destruction and indifference towards its old places and devoted years to heritage advocacy. Two books, Vanishing Vancouver (1991) and Vancouver Remembered (2006), recorded that period of his life. His book Vanishing British Columbia (2005) explores the roadside memories of the province, including the abandoned buildings and disappearing towns that illustrate its layers of settlement and history. His website, www.michaelkluckner.com, contains a large number of ongoing projects including travel sketches, failed books, blogs, woodcuts and cat drawings. Michael currently lives in Australia.

Michael Kluckner will be at the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery for an Artist Talk at 7pm on Saturday, July 14. ’In Search of Patterned Landscapes’, in conjunction with Kluckner’s ’Vanishing British Columbia’ exhibition in Barkerville Historic Town, runs in the IMA Gallery until Tuesday, July 17. Kluckner is also the instructor for IMA Summer School of the Arts course "The Traveler’s Watercolor Sketchbook", July 14 to July 17. Please feel free to come by to view the artworks or to sign up for his course, the gallery is open 10am - 6pm everyday.

For more information about this exhibition or about the Island Mountain Arts Summer School of the Arts course please call 1-800-442-2787 or visit www.imarts.com.

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EarlyBird Discount Extended to June 15 for all Summer Courses

Fri, 08 Jun 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED TO JUNE 15, 2007

WELLS, BC, June 8, 2007…The Island Mountain Arts Summer School of the Arts in Wells, BC, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer, has extended its Early Bird Discount to June 15th, 2007 for all of its summer courses. When students register on or before June 15th they will receive a 10% discount off the regular price of tuition.

Choose from over twenty workshops for all ages and levels in a variety of disciplines from How to Publish Your Writing (July 20) and Writing Your Socks Off (July 21 – 24) with award-winning writer, Adam Schroeder to Beginner’s Harp with Lori Pappajohn of Winter Harp fame.

Virtuoso guitar man, Ken Hamm is back to teach Slide and Fingerstyle for Acoustic Guitar (July 31 – Aug 3), BC artist and historian, Michael Kluckner will be in town to teach the Traveler’s Watercolour Sketchbook (July 14 – 17), as well as exhibit his work at both the IMA Gallery and in Barkerville Historic Town from June 22 - July17.

Mark Vonesch of Reel Youth, who travels the world teaching young people about video production, will be teaching all the ins and outs of using the medium of video from June 30 to July 2 (ages 10 – 18). Another great course for young people is Songwriting and Poetry in Rhythm (July 31 – Aug 3) with professional musicians Corwin Fox, Sarah Noni Metzner and Kia Kadiri. Participants can expect to learn how to write a song and the basics of spoken word poetry, as well as elements of performance and how to record.

The newly renamed Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists (Formerly the Wells Artists’ Project) runs July 21 – 29 with artist mentors, Chris Cran, RCA and Michelle Forsyth. This studio mentorship program was renamed this year in honour of the renowned BC painter, Toni Onley (1928 – 2004) and his sprit for traveling into remote areas to gain inspiration for his art.

For a whole list of courses please visit the Island Mountain Arts website at www.imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787 for more info. If you have never been to Island Mountain Arts, there is no better time to take an art break and Get Wells!

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Scholarship Deadline Extended to June 8 for Toni Onley Artists' Project

Sun, 27 May 07 00:00:00 -0700

CALLING ALL VISUAL ARTISTS

DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2007

For The Toni Onley Artists' Project for Emerging and Professional Visual Artists (Formerly named the Wells Artists' Project)

Wells, BC

Saturday, July 21 - Sunday, July 29, 2007

With Artist Mentors: Chris Cran and Michelle Forsyth

Project Description:

First offered in 2000 with distinguished Canadian artist Norman Yates, The Wells Artists’ Project (now named the Toni Onley Artists' Project) has had a tremendous impact on the artistic development of those who have taken part. Participating artists will spend nine days in Wells (8 days of instruction, July 25th is a self directed day) painting in the IMA studios under the mentorship of two senior Canadian artists, Chris Cran, RCA and Michelle Forsyth.

This is a forum for artists to explore and develop their ideas in relation to visual arts practice. With hands on experimentation as the starting point, artists will engage in an exchange of ideas aimed at better understanding the possibilities of the creative act - an ideal experience for artists wishing to hone their craft while in a creative, supportive and learning environment. The artist mentors, with their vast knowledge and experience from working as professional visual artists in Canada and internationally, will give valuable keys to those artists keen to forward their artistic practice in the visual arts and spur production of new bodies of work. A shorter four-day session (July 21st – July 24th ) is also available.

Scholarships/Bursaries Available

1. Sonia Cornwall Scholarship: This scholarship, which covers the full tuition (value $800), is available for one emerging artistliving in the Cariboo.

2. IMA Scholarships: This scholarship covers the tuition for the four-day session, July 21 - 24 (value $410) and is open to artists from across Cananda.

3. IMA Bursaries: If not selected for a scholarship Island Mountain Arts has a limited number partial bursaries based on financial need. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for a bursary.

Selection Criteria:

Island Mountain Arts is seekeing professional and emerging artists who demonstrate a dedication to their craft and a keen interest in participating in a group studio experience.

Applications must include the following:

A letter stating what you hope to gain from this experience
Provide an artist statement/bio
Provide 6 - 10 images of artwork created in the last year either as digital images.
A commitment to attend the course if accepted

What is the application deadline?

Applications must be recieved by June 4th, 2007

How do I apply for this scholarship?

Send the above requested information Attn: Julie Fowler, Artistic Director

Email:media@imarts.com

Mail: Box 65, Wells, BC, V0K 2R0

Questions? Call 1-800-442-2787

Toni Onley Exhibition Opening Sunday, May 20, 7 pm

Thu, 17 May 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PRESENTS A RARE EXHIBITION AND SALE OF ARTWORKS BY RENOWNED BC PAINTER, TONI ONLEY (1928 – 2004)

OPENING RECEPTION AND CURATOR TALK 7:00 PM, SUNDAY, MAY 20TH, 2007

WELLS, BC, May 16, 2007…The Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery in Wells, BC is pleased to present "In the Studio", a rare exhibition and sale of artworks by renowned British Columbian painter, Toni Onley (1928 – 2004) from May 20 to June 18, with an opening reception and talk with guest curator from the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, Paul Crawford at 7pm on Sunday, May 20th.

Joan Richardson, writing for the Winchester Gallery in Victoria says, "Toni Onley is one of the most widely known and admired painters of British Columbia. He combined a traditional British watercolour technique with modernist abstract form and oriental brush painting to invent a unique vision of landscape. Onley’s theme was solitude in nature. He sought remote and desolate locations by plane and boat and astonished many with his ability to quickly capture a scene in precise and spontaneous strokes of the Chinese goat hair brush he favoured."

Richardson goes on to say that; "Onley’s work has been widely represented and collected throughout his career, beginning with the purchase of Polar I, in 1963 by the Tate Gallery, London. He had his first solo exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1958, followed by a second show twenty years later. In 1980 he made headlines with the purchase of over 600 of his paintings by a single collector for a record-breaking sum.” In recognition of his contributions to Canadian art he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Artists and was made an officer of the Order of Canada.

Featured in the exhibition are prints that have been generously donated to the Island Mountain Arts Society from the Toni Onley Estate in order to help raise funds towards a legacy fund in his name. The fund will help to provide scholarships to emerging and professional visual artists to attend the newly re-named Toni Onley Artists’ Project (formerly the Wells Artists’ Project), which is an eight-day artist mentorship program. Down the road plans are in place to expand this program into an eight-month artist-in-residence program in Wells called the Toni Onley School for Professional and Emerging Artists. Also featured in the exhibition and sale are a number of Onley’s signature watercolours.

A unique aspect of this exhibition will be the installation of the 7’ x 12’ painting wall from Onley’s studio. The wall, with its many layers of paint, provides a rare insight into the artist’s creative process. Along with the wall there is a collection of his brushes, palette and a painting board he used for his watercolours. Combined theses items provide the name and back drop for this important exhibition - "In the Studio". These special pieces appear courtesy of the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan in Penticton.

Though Toni never made it to Wells, he had discussed with Paul Crawford his desire to fly his LA4 Buccaneer amphibious plane up to paint in and around Wells, Barkerville and the Bowron Lakes. Sadly his life tragically ended on February 29th, 2004 when he had a heart attack while flying his plane and crashed into the Fraser River.

With a great respect for the life and work of this remarkable BC painter, Island Mountain Arts is honoured to have the use of his name for the legacy fund and school. “Toni Onley very much embodied the spirit of this project, as he had a great passion for going into remote areas in order to gain inspiration and paint, he also was very savvy in the business of being a successful Canadian artist. With the Toni Onley School in Wells we hope to honour and celebrate these aspects of Toni and create a program that will help artists to develop their studio practice, as well as their knowledge of the business side of art,” explains Island Mountain Arts’ president, Dennis Bogle.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome you to view the work of this celebrated Canadian artist in one of the only exhibitions and sales of his work to take place in Northern BC. A limited number of historic Toni Onley exhibition posters will also be for sale. For more information about the exhibition or about this summer’s Toni Onley Artists’ Project please call 1-800-442-2787, email info@imarts.com or visit www.imarts.com.

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Sonia Cornwall Scholarship Announced!

Fri, 27 Apr 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUNCES THE SONIA CORNWALL SCHOLARSHIP
FOR AN EMERGING CARIBOO ARTIST

WELLS, BC, April 18, 2007… Island Mountain Arts is pleased to announce a new scholarship in memory of renowned Cariboo artist and Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee, Sonia Cornwall (1919 – 2006). The Sonia Cornwall Scholarship will provide the full eight-day tuition (value $800) to an emerging visual artist living in the Cariboo to attend the Toni Onley Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists (Formerly named the Wells Artists’ Project) from July 21 – 29, 2007 in Wells, BC.

Born in 1919 in Kamloops, BC, Sonia Cornwall spent most of her days raising cattle with her family at the Onward Ranch just outside of Williams Lake. Her art, which reflects her life, depicts scenes of nature like the cattle grazing in vast and beautiful Cariboo landscape. Sonia followed in the footsteps of her mother who was also a painter and who studied amongst the likes of Group of Seven painter, A.Y. Jackson, who would often visit the Onward Ranch for painting excursions.

It was in this mix of nature and the hard working ranching life, along with the visiting painters and an artistic mother that Sonia developed her passion for painting and living in the rugged Cariboo hills. It is this pioneering spirit and love of the arts that Island Mountain Arts would like to honour Sonia Cornwall for, and in her memory provide an opportunity for an emerging Cariboo artist to be mentored in the visual arts at the Toni Onley Artists’ Project.

Newly renamed to the Toni Onley Artists’ Project to honour the spirit of internationally regarded BC painter, Toni Onley who passed away in 2004, this eight-day studio based artist mentorship program aims to provide a forum for emerging and professional visual artists to explore and develop their ideas in relation to visual arts practice. In 2007 the Toni Onley Artists’ Project will feature Canadian senior visual artists’ Chris Cran, RCA and Michelle Forsyth. Both of this summer’s mentors, in addition to their own successful careers as practicing artists, also teach visual arts; Chris Cran at the Alberta College of Art and Design and Michelle Forsyth at Washington State University.

To apply for the scholarship all Cariboo visual artists are welcome to submit a letter stating what they hope to gain from the experience, an artist statement and 6 – 10 digital images of their recent work. For details about the Sonia Cornwall Scholarship, as well as other scholarship opportunities please visit the Island Mountain Arts webpage at www.imarts.com. The deadline to apply is May 15. For more information you can also contact Artistic Director, Julie Fowler at media@imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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Artswells Wins Tourism Award!

Wed, 11 Apr 07 00:00:00 -0700

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

Contact: Julie Fowler
Toll Free: 1-800-442-ARTS (2787)
Tel: 250-994-3466 Fax: 250-994-3433
Email: media@imarts.com

ARTSWELLS FESTIVAL WINS THE CARIBOOSTER AWARD AT THE 2007 CARIBOO CHILCOTIN COAST TOURISM ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

WELLS, BC, April 29, 2007… Island Mountain Arts was pleased to accept the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Caribooster Award for the ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art at the regional tourism conference held in Wells, April 11 &12, 2007.

The Caribooster Award is given annually to the individual or organization that promotes the health and well being of the entire region. “IMA through such work as the ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, has put Wells on the international stage, drawing instructors and performers from across the country and the seas,” says Erin Shaw of the CCCTA.

The ArtsWells Festival, which will celebrate its fourth incarnation this August Long Weekend (August 3 – 6, 2007) in Wells, BC, promises to be another Cariboo highlight this summer. The festival will feature over forty independent musical acts from across the country, but predominantly from BC, as well as numerous workshops, an Art Walk around the town, the One Minute Play Festival and a variety of other performers including jugglers and stilt walkers.

Taking place at venues throughout Wells including an outdoor stage at the Wells School, the Historic Wells Community Hall, the Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery, the newly re-opened Sunset Theatre, as well as Barkerville Historic Town and various local studios, galleries and businesses, the festival aims to celebrate the arts in all their many forms and highlight Wells for the creative community that it is.

Some of the performers you can expect to see on the ArtsWells stage this year include: 2007 Juno award winner, Leela Gilday; Canadian Folk Music Award winner for best emerging songwriter, T. Nile; hit of the Vancouver Folk Festival, instrumental hip hop duo, No Luck Club; the imaginative sounds of Toronto’s Hunter Eves; perennial favourite, alt country crooner, Rae Spoon; rockabilly toe tappers, the Joey Only Outlaw Band and many more to come.

ArtsWells is seeking more volunteers to help make this summer’s festival better than ever. Those that can volunteer twelve hours or more can get into the festival for free, plus get some meals at the ArtsWells kitchen and a place to camp for free.

Tickets for the 2007 ArtsWells Festival are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787. Call before May 15 and buy your pass for the early bird rate of $25! Regular priced tickets are $40. Kids 12 and under are free.

For more information about volunteering, performers or buying tickets please visit the new ArtsWells website at www.artswells.com, email artswellsfestival@imarts.com or call 1-800-442-2787.

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IMA Benefit Concert in Quesnel December 2nd

Thu, 02 Nov 06 00:00:00 -0800

On Saturday, Dec 2 Island Mountain Arts will be holding a benefit concert at the Anglican Church Hall in Quesnel. The concert will feature a great line up of local musicians including Yael Wand, Murray Boal, John Brisco, Mike Nelson and Tom Salley. There will also be a live auction with works by Bert deVink, Claire Singleton and Tod Church.

Island Mountain Arts supports and celebrates artists throughout the region and the province through its public gallery, school of the arts and the ever-growing Artswells Festival on the August Long Weekend. The veteran organization in Wells will celebrate its 30^th anniversary in 2007 and is looking forward to another 30 years of artistic action in the region.

The benefit concert, as well as raising funds for the organization’s continued operation and programming, is also a kick off to the 30^th year celebrations that will be going throughout 2007.

The musical guests that will entertain at the benefit are all superb Cariboo artists. Yael Wand is becoming well known around the province and across the country for her beautiful voice and thoughtful songwriting. Yael has just recorded her second full length CD that will be coming out soon.

In addition to running Dragon Mountain Farm, Murray Boal has produced three cds and has been playing music for over 25 years. Through Murray's music, you get a wonderful window on life in the Cariboo with songs about old friends, old watering holes and his musings on whatever he is doing at the time.

John Brisco, Mike Nelson and Tom Salley will fill out the evening with their respective brands of folk country tunes, ensuring a night of memorable music.

Paul Crawford, known best for co-creating the One Minute Play Festival, will be in the house to auction three pieces of art and host his infamous “prizes, prizes, prizes!” There will also be a silent action including, among other things, autographed Stuart McLean and Garnet Rogers CD’s. IMA will also be selling their newly released “Nude Gold Rush History Greeting Cards” in addition to their other fundraising staples.

Admission to this event is$10 and doors open at 7:30pm. So come on out and don’t miss this chance to catch five great local acts and support Island Mountain Arts all in one night! Tickets can be purchased at the door.For more information call Island Mountain Arts at 1-800-442-2787, locally at 994-3466.

Island Mountain Arts - News - News at a Glance

Wellsaid Wells a Smash Success!

WELLSAID WELLS GOT THE PARTY STARTED EARLY THIS YEAR

ART MATTERS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Songwriting Contest Winners Anounced

Artswells Festival 2010 Early Bird Deadline Saves You HST!

Eventual Synthesis Perry Rath

Student Position at Island Mountain Arts - Summer Program Liason

Songwriting Contest - Win a Scholarship to Study with Ken Whiteley!

Employment Opportunity - Deadline to apply March 15

Vote For ArtsWells on CBC Radio Three!!!

Eat Your Art Out! Fundrasier

Contact: Julie Fowler

Invest in the Arts - 2009 IMA Membership and Donation Drive

Island Mountain Arts devastated by new provincial budget - A Message from Artistic Director, Julie Fowler

Undesirables from Toronto perform September 8 in Wells

Surround - an Exhibition by Katie Brennan runs until September 13, 2009

Bring a Friend Promotion! Save 10% NOW!

Legacy: Artists Helping Artists Fundraising Exhibition and Auction Opens

Linda Dayan Frimer Exhibition Opens June 19

ArtsWells Festival Early Bird Deadline June 15

Volunteer for the 2009 ArtsWells Festival, July 31 - August 3

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE FOR COURSES EXTENDED TO JUNE 15!!!

Exhibition by Joan Ramsey Harker Opens May 15th

IMA Seeking Donations of Artworks and unique items for Legacy Exhibition and Auction

Click here to Download the Donation Letter

Win a scholarship to learn the Art of Songwriting with David Francey

2009 Harp School Announced

January 31 - Deadline to Apply to the 2009 ArtsWells Festival

Call for Submissions for the IMA Public Gallery

Folk Legend, Garnet Rogers to Play in Wells October 12

NEWS RELEASE

IMA Raffle: Win Artworks by David T. Alexander and Toni Onley

Merritt Based Artist Evelyn Armstrong Comes to Wells

Sonia Cornwall (1919 - 2006) Exhibition, Cariboo Cowboy, Opens July 18

Elvis Comes to Island Mountain Arts

ArtsWells Festival Line-up Announced

Beata Polanska Exhibition - Where Do I Come From? - Opens May 16

IMA Grows It's Endowment Fund to Over $50,000 in First Year!

Help Wanted! IMA Seaking Creative, Motivated Individuals for 2008 Summer Staff

Eat Your Art Out Fundraiser a Huge Success!!

EAT YOUR ART OUT! A Tasty Fundraiser Announced for Island Mountain Arts

Scholarships and Mentors for the 2008 Toni Onley Artists' Project Announced

NEWS RELEASEFor Immediate Release

Blockbuster Lineup Announced for the 2008 Celtic Harp School

30 x 30 Exhibit and Auction a Huge Success!

ArtsWells Festival This Weekend!!!!

Ruthie Sumiko Tabata or Tyler Doerksen

30th Anniversary Exhibition and Auction Opens Friday, July 20, 7pm

Youth Theatre for Social Change workshop in Quesnel Aug 13 - 16

NOW ONLY $50!!!! Songwriting and Poetry in Rhythm Musical Day Camp

Win a Scholarship to Video-Film Production for Young People - Deadline Friday, June 22, 5pm!

WIN A SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND A THREE-DAY VIDEO PRODUCTION WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WELLS, BC, JUNE 30 – JULY 2

Artswells Pre-Festival Showcase! Joey Only Outlaw Band Live in Prince George, Monday, June 25, 8pm

ArtsWells Pre-Festival Showcases in Prince George

The Joey Only Outlaw Band The Cottonweeds with Raghu Lokanathan & Jeremy Stewart and Dave Routley June 25, 2007 at ArtSpace1685 3rd Ave, Prince George

About the ArtsWells Festival

"In Search of Patterned Landscapes" by Michael Kluckner opens Friday, June 22, 7pm

AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORKS BY BC ARTIST AND HISTORIAN, MICHAEL KLUCKNER, OPENS FRIDAY, JUNE 22 AT ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PUBLIC GALLERY IN WELLS, BC

EarlyBird Discount Extended to June 15 for all Summer Courses

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXTENDED TO JUNE 15, 2007

Scholarship Deadline Extended to June 8 for Toni Onley Artists' Project

CALLING ALL VISUAL ARTISTS

DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 8TH, 2007

Project Description:

Toni Onley Exhibition Opening Sunday, May 20, 7 pm

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS PRESENTS A RARE EXHIBITION AND SALE OF ARTWORKS BY RENOWNED BC PAINTER, TONI ONLEY (1928 – 2004)

OPENING RECEPTION AND CURATOR TALK 7:00 PM, SUNDAY, MAY 20TH, 2007

Sonia Cornwall Scholarship Announced!

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUNCES THE SONIA CORNWALL SCHOLARSHIPFOR AN EMERGING CARIBOO ARTIST

Artswells Wins Tourism Award!

ARTSWELLS FESTIVAL WINS THE CARIBOOSTER AWARD AT THE 2007 CARIBOO CHILCOTIN COAST TOURISM ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

IMA Benefit Concert in Quesnel December 2nd

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

The Joey Only Outlaw Band
The Cottonweeds with Raghu Lokanathan & Jeremy Stewart
and Dave Routley
June 25, 2007
at ArtSpace1685 3rd Ave, Prince George

ISLAND MOUNTAIN ARTS ANNOUNCES THE SONIA CORNWALL SCHOLARSHIP
FOR AN EMERGING CARIBOO ARTIST