Wells & Area
This cozy mining town is as friendly now as it was in its heyday in the 1930s. Browse through historic ‘uptown’ Wells, once a company townsite for the Cariboo Gold Quartz Mine with its many unique heritage buildings. Galleries, shops, and studios provides visitors opportunities in shopping for unique, one of a kind items; restaurants and cafes; and entertainment is always happening, whether it's at Sunset Theatre, ArtsWells or any of the local venues. Activities such as mountain biking or hiking on our trails, canoeing, fishing or sailing at the nearby Jack O'Clubs Lake - there's something to do for everyone. In winter, there are cross country trails, snowmobiling trails, and skiing at Troll Resort.
Just 8 km from Wells is Barkerville Historic Town, Western Canada's largest historic town, and home of the Cariboo Gold Rush of 1862. Plan to spend at least two days exploring over 100 historic buildings with displays. There is live entertainment at the Theatre Royal, guided tours, street theatre and demonstrations by costumed animators. Kids love riding the stagecoach and panning for gold. Visit the Sheepskin Claim and see the huge Cornish Pump in operation.
32km east of Wells is Bowron Lake Provincial Park, with 116 km of lakes, rivers and short portage that forms a chain of lakes - allowing you to canoe from start to finish at the same point. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with eagles, ospreys, moose, beavers, bears and many others.
For more information, visit Wellsbc.com.
Entertainment
Island Mountain Arts & ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art
Check out Island Mountain Arts Public Gallery for current art exhibitions during the summer season, including artists talks, concerts and coffee houses. During the August long weekend, they also host the annual ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art, a 3-day extravanganza of music of all genres such as folk, jazz, country, funk & more; performers such as juggling, spoken word, firespinning, and more; and ArtsWalk, a visual showcase of paintings, fibre arts, & sculptures.
Sunset Theatre
Open July and August. Enjoy the Sunset Theatre, an historic theatre circa 1934, by attending one of the many events during the summer months. The Sunset Theatre features a wide array of entertainment possibilities, with everything from live theatre and film to excellent live music. For an updated schedule of events and ticket info please visit our website www.sunset-theatre.com or drop by the theatre in person at 2357 Pooley Street. All tickets are available at the door. Don't forget to check out the Lobby Gallery and concession - fresh popcorn and coffee daily!
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is the world famous 1860s musical theatre that performs in Barkerville every summer. The performances are full of music, comedy, intrigue and adventure, all with a historical theme revolving around the gold rush in Barkerville. For more information, including how to book group tours, ticket prices and all other pertinent information, please phone 1-888-994-3225 or visit the Theatre Royal website.
Galleries
Amazing Space Studio and Gallery Studio and Gallery
Claire Kujundzic and Bill Horne have transformed a 1930s church into a gallery for their original art. With unique silk screening, original painting, cards and a variety of other art for sale, the Amazing Space Studio and Gallery is one of the highlights of a visit to the Wells, Barkerville, Bowron Lakes area. To contact Claire Kujundzic please phone either 250-994-2332 or visit her website at www.claireart.ca.
Art Rush Gallery
This owner operated gallery features original art and prints by Ting Yuen, and is home to the “Express Yourself Jewelry Collection.” This gallery will amaze visitors of all ages with it’s diversity of arts and crafts by local and area artists. Art Rush Gallery is located at 2326 Pooley street and is open regularly from June through September. For more information please call 250-994-3468 or visit us on the web at www.artrushgallery.com
Beck’s Pottery Studio
One of the many artisans who call Wells their home for at least part of the year. Joan Beck has her summer studio right in the heart of Wells, and is open June to September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Beck's Pottery features raku pieces, functional stoneware and earthenware pottery. With Joan's help, visitors to the area can take home a Raku pottery piece that they have glazed and fired themselves. Instruction will also be given in making pottery by hand and using the potters wheel. Lesson is for between 4-6 people. $25 per person. Approximately 2 1/2 hours. Contact Joan Beck Becks Pottery Wells, BC. 250-994-2315 (May to October) 250-392-5573 (November to April) or visit her website.
Cartier & Bailey Creative Studio
Wells' newest art gallery, located in the historic Good Eats Building on Pooley Street, features original artwork by local artists Laurie Landry, Corey Hardeman, Lindsay Read and others, one-of-a-kind quilts and other handicrafts, custom picture framing and graphic design services. Cartier & Bailey Creative Studio will be open from May 22 to end of September 2010 for the summer season. For more information, please visit www.cartierbaileystudio.com.
Homespun Gallery
The Homespun Gallery opened in 2007 in the beautifully renovated building located next to the General Store on historic Pooley Street. This gallery, owned by Ron and Gail Dunn, hosts the couple's incredible wood works, sculptures and paintings. Gail moved to Wells with her husband Ron to open the Homespun Gallery on Pooley Street. She works in clay to create sculptural stylized forms as well as burnished smoked pottery. Raku, and Tree Spirits but still has time to explore all mediums in painting and drawing. Ron is an internationally recognized wood turner who is represented by galleries in B.C. and Alberta. Ron has won awards in every competition he entered. His creations are mainly from local wood which he enjoys collecting. After logging for many years he says that creating beautiful objects from wood is payback.
Island Mountain Arts
Island Mountain Arts has been providing artistic experiences for artists of all ages since 1977. Island Mountain Arts provides year- round workshops, seminars, exhibitions and concerts in Wells, BC, and is also home to a gallery and gift shop. Island Mountain Arts has a number of unique and stimulating courses planned for 2009, including courses in creative writing, beginning watercolour, drawing, singing, children's harp and more. It is also the home of Artswells Festival, stage music and art festival held every Aug 1st to 4th. Visit www.imarts.com for more information.
Wells Museum
The Wells Museum was opened in 1974 in the building that used to be the Miners Union Hall on Pooley Street. In the 1990s, it became apparent that a new building was needed. The old Island Mountain Mine office was purchased by the Wells Historical Society. It was beautifully restored and renovated and was officially opened in the summer of 1999.
Activities: Printed 'scavenger hunt' which can be purchased for $2 which is fun for families.
Open: May - Sept (Labour Day) five days a week (closed 2 days during mid week)
Collection: Artifacts relating to the second Cariboo gold rush, 1930-1967, and the building of Wells by the Cariboo Gold Quartz, household effects, mining and assaying, logging and transportation, medical and dental, archival material related to Cariboo Gold Quartz.
Admission: By donation.
Hours: 10pm-6pm, 7 days a week
Location: Yellow Building at the end of Pooley Street, Wells, BC, Canada Phone/Fax:(250)994-3422
