Art Galleries & Artists
Glass artwork (Danielle Hayes photo)
In the late 1900s, Wells' quiet rural atmosphere and inexpensive housing attracted a number of artists and artisans.
Today, the small community is home to a good number of unique studios and galleries. Browse creations such as jewelry, photography cards, paintings, raku ceramics, gold nuggets, clay animal tracks and more.
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 by painting them vivid colours, which creates an impression of gems set against a backdrop of green forest.
The annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art happens in August.
Read More
Art Galleries
- The Art Rush Gallery (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 of jewelry, 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 she 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.
- Island Mountain Arts (IMA) Public Gallery (on Pooley Street) was established by a volunteer organization that 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 the shop and in the Bear's Paw Café across the road, both of which are owned and operated by Dave Jorgenson and Cheryl Macarthy. The shop also offers unique products such as 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 serves light lunches, 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 sculptures, art magnets, cards, books, and souvenirs. The gallery is open June to September.
Read Less