 Marie Nagel Gallery, Rosemary Smart photo But the artistry doesn't end at the galleries. The town's heritage buildings have also been preserved with artistic flair. Some locals have preserved the facades of their homes and galleries, painting them vivid colours, which creates an impression of gems set against a backdrop of green forest.
Art Galleries
- The Art Rush Gallery, located at 2326 Pooley St, features the work of Ting Yuen, and her husband, Paul Morel. In addition to their paintings, the gallery displays their unique collection jewlery, photography cards by Leif Grandell and handbags by BC designer Amy Quarry. The gallery is open June to mid September, but is closed Wednesdays.
- Beck's Pottery, located on Highway 26, is the summer gallery belonging to Joan Beck. Joan has been a potter since 1964 and currently produces and sells stoneware dishes and iridescent Raku ceramics (a type of Japanese pottery). In her gallery, Joan also sells new and used books, paintings and photography by local Cariboo artists and writers. The gallery is open June to mid September, seven days a week.
- Homespun Gallery, also on Pooley Street, next door to the Wells General Store, is owned by Gail and Ron Dunn. The gallery features stunning turned-wood works by the internationally recognized Ron Dunn, as well as burnished smoke pottery, Raku and mysterious Tree Spirits, made by Gail.
- Island Mountain Arts (IMA) Public Gallery, located on Pooley Street, was established by a volunteer organization which operates the Annual School of the Arts. Located in the former Hill Meat Market, the IMA Public Art Gallery hosts the community's signature event, the ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, the International One Minute Play Festival and the renowned International Celtic Harp School. Courses, displays and events run from mid May to mid August. Contact the Wells Visitor Centre or the Island Mountain Arts for the gallery's calendar.
Studios and Artisan Gift Shops Frog on the Bog, located on Highway 26, features the work of local artists in both the shop and the Bear's Paw Café across the road, both of which are owned and operated by Dave Jorgenson and Cheryl Macarthy. In addition, the shop offers unique products, real wild animal tracks embedded in clay and made by local artists, gold nuggets from Conklin Gulch in the Cariboo, nugget jewelry, organic outdoor shirts, aprons and boxers from Hatley Creek. It also serves light lunches and breakfasts and baked goods.
Amazing Space Studio, located on Bowman Crescent, is where Claire Kujundzic and her husband Bill Horne create and display their work. The studio is the former Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Claire works in a number of media, from painting, to music and writing. Bill enjoys printmaking on handmade papers, marble and animal hides. In addition, the couple sells sculpture, art magnets, cards, books, and souvenirs. The gallery is open June to September.
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