NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

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

Tel: 250-994-3466   Fax: 250-994-3433

Email: media@imarts.com

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^rd at 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).