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Okanagan Arts magazine, in cooperation with Island Mountain Arts, is proud to present a full scholarship to an Okanagan artist to go to the course at this school. Tthe applications will be juried, and information about the program and the scholarship are presented below.

Island Mountain Arts Summer School of the Arts
Saturday, July 19 - Sunday, July 27, 9:00am - 3:30pm
Artist Mentors: Peter von Tiesenhausen and David T. Alexander
Fee: Eight-day Session $840 + GST

First offered in 2000 with distinguished Canadian artist Norman Yates, The Toni Onley Artists' Project for Professional and Emerging Artists (formerly The Wells Artists' Project) has had a tremendous impact on the artistic development of those who have taken part in it. Participating artists spend nine days in Wells (8 days with the mentors; July 23rd is a self directed day) painting in the IMA studios under the mentorship of the two senior Canadian artists.

This is a forum for artists to explore and develop their ideas in relation to visual arts practice. With hands on experimentation as the starting point, artists will engage in an exchange of ideas aimed at better understanding the possibilities of the creative act.

The artist mentors, with their vast knowledge and experience as working professional visual artists in Canada and internationally, will give valuable insight to artists keen to promote their artistic practice and spur the production of new bodies of work. Project participants are invited to take part in a number of evening events such as a Welcome Reception, free BBQ and Artist Talks with the senior mentors. Artists also get free admission to Barkerville Historic Town, as well as discounts to local businesses.

Food and accommodations are not included, however a very low cost breakfast and lunch will be available at the school. Accommodation Discounts are available for participants at select businesses. Participants must bring with them their own supplies; easels and tables are provided.

Deadline to Apply:
May 8th, 2008 (successful applicants will be notified no later than May 30th)
Click HERE for information about the application process and criteria, or email media@imarts.

Mentors
David T. Alexander
For over thirty years, David Alexander's work has received recognition from curators and critics worldwide. His provocative approach to landscape painting directly challenges many of the conventions associated with this genre. David's expressive, energetic style is characterized by a deliberate re-ordering of traditional elements of composition, perspective and colour. His paintings engage the viewer as depictions of nature, while providing an ongoing dialogue concerning our relationship with the land. David also brings to the project over twenty years of experience in providing mentorship and has participated in numerous residencies across the country.

Peter von Tiesenhausen
Alberta artist Peter von Tiesenhausen has a fierce connection to the land. That connection is present in all of his work, whether it's in a painting, mixed media, an installation, or a sculpture made of willow branches, granite, bronze, or wood. Born in British Columbia, Peter moved with his family to Demmitt, Alberta, outside of Grande Prairie, when he was a young child and still maintains a strong attachment to the family homestead. Much of Peter's art deals with transformation and transience. His deep involvement with the land is evident. Working with willow branches, ice and wood, his installations are found high up in trees, in the middle of the bush, or in open fields. Peter's art production is non-traditional; he burns, carves and otherwise transforms environments into art spaces. Peter's innovative works have been exhibited worldwide, to much acclaim, and can be found in many important public collections.

The Toni Onley Artists' Project
In 2007 Island Mountain Arts renamed the Wells Artists' Project to the Toni Onley Artists' Project in honour of world renowned BC artist, Toni Onley (1928 - 2004). Onley very much embodied the spirit of the Artists' Project, having had a great passion for going into remote areas in order to gain inspiration; he was also very savvy in the business of being a successful Canadian artist. In re-naming the project we hope to honour these aspects of Toni's artistic career and spirit. The renaming is the first step in a long term vision to develop an eight-month artist development program in Wells called the Toni Onley School. Participating artists will live and work in the remote hamlet of historic Wells in order to create a body of work for exhibition. Island Mountain Arts is pleased to recognize the support of the Toni Onley Estate.

We are also pleased to announce that in partnership with the Art Gallery of the South Okanagan in Penticton, one participant will be selected to have a solo exhibition in their project room.