The Island Mountain Arts (IMA) annual auction is underway.
Elyssia Sasaki, Executive and Artistic Director of IMA, says that this is the second year the fundraiser is held online, and explains that the auction’s proceeds support “a bunch of different programming” that the gallery hosts throughout the year. Some of the artists that participate in the programs come back and donate their art pieces for the auction. All the pieces of art available for auction are on display in the gallery.
“I think one of the most delightful success out of it [the auction] is the incredible support that we receive from the folks that have donated the items,” Sasaki says. “It’s a really lovely blend of folks that have participated in our programs in the past. Cariboo makers and artist from incredible businesses. We get everything from pickles to handprints.”
Sasaki says one art piece of particular interest is ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ by Michelle Purchase from Kitchener Ontario. The piece was inspired during Purchase’s time when she visited Wells, and features one of the boardwalks built by the Barkerville Community Forest through the Cornish Mountain trails.
The auction ends on Saturday, November 10 at 6 p.m, and is one of the first events IMA hosts and participates during the winter that showcases artists and their works from around the community.
After the auction on November 10, IMA is putting on a watercolour holiday card making workshop.
On November 29, IMA is putting on their annual Wells Works show, that showcases art from various artists from Wells, Barkerville, and the Bowery area.
“It’s really a mix of many different mediums, and people that are at different levels of their practice,” says Sasaki. “Kind of a celebration of the artistic community that we live in.”
IMA will be celebrating four buildings in the Wells community in the Nonageneria celebration on November 30. The event celebrates of The Wells Hotel, Sunset Theatre, St. George Church, and the Wells Volunteer Fire Brigade 90th anniversaries.
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