Programming Overview
Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery
The Island Mountain Arts public gallery operates 10 months out of the year and is one of the main attractions on the main street of Wells. We program 4 - 7 exhibitions annually. Applications tend to open annually in the late spring and close in the early summer
Additionally, space in the gallery is provided in kind for various gatherings, such as Barkerville Choir Practice, Community Forest visit days with the University of British Columbia, a pick-up location for a local food rescue and more.
School of the Arts
The IMA School of Arts is split into two major streams:
Workshops
IMA’s workshops are for young and old, beginner and experienced alike. We explore culinary arts, filmmaking, print-making, photography, painting, songwriting, artist business development and more, with opportunities for folks of all ages to get involved.
Workshops include the 5-day International Harp School (turning 40 in 2026), Young Movie Makers and more
Artists’ Projects
Artist projects are time-based artist residencies, typically 8 - 10 days long. They are often guided by an experienced mentor in the particular field being explored. Artist projects are accompanied by community outreach, including but not limited to artist talks, drawing classes, open studio visits and more.
Programs such as the Toni Onley Artist Project have hosted mentors such as Norman Yates, Tony Urquhart, Sherrard Grauer, Robert Murray, Michael Morris, Chris Cran, Michelle Forsyth, Peter von Tiesenhausen, David T. Alexander, John Hall, Harold Klunder, John Freeman, Lyndal Osborne, Libby Hague, Sarah Anne Johnson, Wayne White, Mimi Pond, Mark Neufeld, Leigh Bridges, Joseph M. Sanchez, Ciara Phillips, Jeffrey Spalding, Anong Migwans Beam, Shary Boyle, Lisa Milroy, Jen Mann, Diana Thorneycroft, Rita McKeough, Peter Flemming, Ed Pien, Johannes Zits, Cindy Mochizuki and Sandeep Johal.
Self- Directed Residencies
The self-directed Artist-In-Residence program (Island Mountain AIR) provides affordable space for artists of all mediums to create in. It is intended for, but not limited to, visual artists, filmmakers, curators, musicians, producers, directors, writers, and photographers. Artists also have the opportunity to facilitate outreach programs such as artist talks, concerts, studio visits, workshops and exhibitions. IMA also provides opportunities for artists to promote their work through our social media channels. These activities are intended to promote interaction and professional development, and provide access for the community to a diverse range of arts practices.
The ArtsWells Festival of All Things Arts
The ArtsWells Festival is the multi-disciplinary embodiment of our mandate, and is as much a showcase for Wells as it is for a broad spectrum of artists from diverse backgrounds.
In 2026, our organization returns with the festival from June 26th - 28th.
Northern Exposure
Northern Exposure is an ongoing professional development series that serves artists and administrators living and working in rural places.
