Since its establishment in 1977, Island Mountain Arts (IMA) has offered workshops for people in the Cariboo region, working out of Wells, B.C.
With limited space available for housing artists and instructors throughout the years, especially the summer months, this non-profit organization is in need of new property.
After the White Cap Motor Inn and RV Park was purchased by a mining company in the area the need for a more reliable property was made clear.
Though the mining company accommodated many guests for the festival weekend, housing many artist and instructors, as of now it is unknown what the needs of the mining company will be and that leaves the future of IMA in a vulnerable state.
“We need to have our own accommodation space that we can rely on year after year for our staff and instructors so every year its not a scramble for ArtsWells,” IMA executive director Julie Fowler said.
The organization is currently looking at purchasing property in Wells that would provide the space necessary for the program to continue running.
The building IMA had set their sites on is 4,600 sq. ft. with ample room for housing accommodations, future studio space, a green house and a green space.
It would seem that this property is the perfect place for IMA artists, instructors, staff and organizers.
With the property decided upon there was only one catch to the plan, raising enough money for a downpayment.
On July 25, IMA launched CAWS for the Nest a Crow Funding Campaign in the hopes of raising $100,00 to go towards the much needed space.
With the time conflicts of the summer workshops and ArtsWells the campaign was not given the dedication necessary throughout the busy summer months and, with only four days left to raise the money, the pressure is on.
The campaign is calling on the support of the local community to help provide a new ‘nest’ for their artists.
“Even if we can’t raise the full amount if we get closer to our goal we could go to the property owner and ask for more time,” Fowler said
The money raised currently sits just above $20,000 with donations being accepted until Sept. 9.
The support from within the community and from artists has been overwhelming Fowler remarked.
Currently at the IMA gallery in Wells artist Robin Edgar Haworth’s artwork is on display.
Haworth has agreed to support this CAWS and donate 100 per cent of his sales towards the campaign.
Support has extended away from the Cariboo region as well with Pentiction Art Gallery curator launching the “Paul Crawford Challenge for the CAWS for the Nest” and auctioning off pieces of art with the proceeds going towards building a ‘nest’ in Wells.
Donations can range from $10 – $100,000, big or small every donation counts.
For information on how to donate visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/caws-for-the-nest or contact Fowler at 1-800-442-27877.