Land Without Limits

Arts & Culture

Art Wells Festival - Wells, BC | Thomas Drasdauskis

“It is a land of striking contrasts . . . a land that drew me like a magnet into its soul.” Author Richmond P. Hobson wrote those words in the first installment of his classic trilogy, 1978’s Grass Beyond the  Mountains: Discovering the Last Great Frontier on the North American Continent – words that mirror how the landscape of this vast region and why this is so often reflected in the region’s culture and the works of local artists. Of course, First Nations compositions have been sung and danced around local campfires for thousands of years, and, along with their totems, beadwork and other arts, they often reflect this region’s powerful sense of place.

Then in 1904, Emily Carr roamed the region by “cowpony” and was inspired to paint several landscapes and to write: ”I can never love the Cariboo enough for all she gave me.” Touring the region in 1914 the Group of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson was equally infatuated, returning in the 1940s to produce works now displayed in galleries worldwide. Modern-day painter Mark Hobson has also long been inspired by the Chilcotin landscape and central coast locations such as Calvert Island, which he painted to raise awareness about keeping the coastline pristine for generations to come. To this end, he and more than 50 of Canada’s most celebrated artists, including painters, poets and writers, published a book titled Canada’s Raincoast at Risk: Art for an Oil-Free Coast.

Modern-day art and nature lovers will want to experience the region’s many galleries, including the Quesnel Art Gallery, one of central BC’s hidden gems, and the city’s ARTrium, featuring many works of award-winning artists in the region. Sometimes galleries are also works of art in their own right, such as the Central Cariboo Arts Centre, which houses a number of artisan groups in a decommissioned fire hall, and the Williams Lake Station House Gallery, a lovingly restored 1920s railway station showcasing pottery, weaving and other visual arts. Similarly noteworthy is the Williams Lake Tourism Discovery Centre, a lodge-style construction features a massive 52ft/15.8m floor-to-ceiling western red cedar harvested in Bella Coola as its centre post, the tree’s 10ft/3m-diameter flared root still intact. The centre also showcases local art such as the towering folk-art-style sculpture So Much to Do and three 17ft/5.18m murals, just a few of many displayed throughout this “Mural Capital of the Cariboo Chilcotin” and part of the August to September Artwalk highlighting all mediums of artistic expression.

Murals depicting historical figures and pioneer life are also displayed on buildings in 100 Mile House. Another arts and culture highlight is the town of Wells, a renowned artist retreat with studios and galleries housed in colourfully painted heritage buildings and a celebrated art school where vacationers can enroll in folk art and music classes. The town’s restored Sunset Theatre also offers a host of professional music, film and theatre retreats, and is in itself a remarkable story. Built in 1934, it showed movies, hosted town hall meetings and dances and, in the 1950s, was used as a morgue. And on the first weekend in August Wells hosts its very popular four-day ArtsWells Festival of all Things Art, hosting performances such as Cariboo Buckeye by Quesnel native Matthew Payne – about an 1860s cattle drive – that is equal parts magic and mystery; musicians and talent from all other artistic disciplines are also on display at the community event, including workshops with nationally recognized artists.

Meanwhile, Barkerville’s Theatre Royal features costumed interpreters so convincing they create the illusion of travelling back the 1860s. The Studio Theatre Society in Williams Lake has staged live theatre (October to June) for the past 60 years. Horsefly’s Arts on the Fly Festival presents music, dance, food and fun in equal measure. The Cariboo is also home to “Camel” Dave Howell, who performs at festivals throughout the West, as does Frank Gleeson, the “Fastest Cowboy Poet in the West” and official cowboy poet of Williams Lake.

Arte Fact Jewels

Arte Fact Jewels

Arte Fact Jewels is a studio-based business specializing in handmade jewelry. In order to grow the business, Arte Fact Jewels must expand into the online market place and so has begun the process of establishing a foundation in various social…

Chilcotin River Trading

Chilcotin River Trading

First Nations owned and operated full-service gas station that offers regular, premium, and diesel at all 6 pumps. The store also offers a card lock for businesses and semi trucks. Come try the best local grilled sandwiches in the West!…

Copper Sun Gallery

Copper Sun Gallery

Copper Sun Gallery is located on the traditional Nuxalk territory in beautiful Bella Coola, B.C., offering handcrafted Nuxalk art made locally. You'll find that the art and jewellery from this region has its own distinct style unique to the Nuxalk…

Copper Sun Journeys

Copper Sun Journeys

Journey through the Great Bear Rainforest with knowledgeable Indigenous guides. Tour Nuxhalk territory's spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife and dramatic mountain peaks as you learn the history and stories of this beautiful region. Discover the stories behind ancient petroglyphs, tour old-growth…

Historic Hat Creek

Historic Hat Creek

Step back in time and experience an original roadhouse built during the 1800's gold rush. Stagecoach rides, souvenir shop, restaurant, camping, cabins are all there to enjoy. You can even stay overnight in a covered wagon.
Kopas Store

Kopas Store

Make sure to stop into Kopas Store on your next visit to Bella Coola, offering a wide selection of locally-produced goods and products, plus supplies for the discerning sportsman. In addition to supplies, you'll also find indigenous jewellery, art, toys,…

Lakeside Motel

Lakeside Motel

Great old-fashioned motel, offering quaint rooms with lovely views of Williams Lake. The Lakeside Motel offers 32 cozy, neat and clean rooms. Free newspapers, private yards, unlimited WiFi, public parking and coffee makers are also available to complete the home-away-from-home…

Lillooet Museum & Visitor Centre

Lillooet Museum & Visitor Centre

The Lillooet Museum & Visitor Centre is situated in downtown Lillooet in a former Anglican church. The original St. Mary's Church, which was torn down in 1960, stood on the same spot and arrived on the backs of miners and…

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin

The Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin hosts a collection of nearly 30,000 artifacts exhibiting the depth and breadth of the region's history. Stop by to view the western displays, including the largest saddle collection in Western Canada and the BC…

Nemiah Valley Lodge

Nemiah Valley Lodge

Nature as Created All-inclusive stays with the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation on Tsilhqot'in Title Lands. The Lodge and its seven cabins (each divisible into two units) offer Indigenous-inspired cuisine, modern accommodation in the newly renovated facilities and immersive cultural sharing…

Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort

Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort

This National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World is renowned as a top luxury wilderness resort, guest ranch, and eco-retreat. Here you can explore BC's back country by foot, mountain bike, canoe, helicopter, or horseback. Hone in on your love…

Spirit Bear Lodge

Spirit Bear Lodge

In a land sculpted by the last ice age, where deep coastal fjords cut into the snow capped mountains and temperate rainforests lead to remote beaches, Spirit Bear Lodge takes visitors from around the world into the heart of the…

Station House Gallery

Station House Gallery

The Station House Gallery is located inside Williams Lake's oldest standing building, the historic Station house originally built in 1919 by the Pacific Great Eastern Railway. The Station House Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions in a variety of mediums by local,…

Tallheo Cannery

Tallheo Cannery

Discover Tallheo Cannery Guest House, set in the heart of Bella Coola. Surrounded by acres of coastal rainforest and private rocky beaches, this once thriving salmon cannery & community has been transformed into a unique experience for travellers. Experience one…

Willow Grove B&B Inn

Willow Grove B&B Inn

Willow Grove B&B Inn is situated within the beautiful, historical gold rush town of Horsefly, British Columbia. Christina Mary, owner and operator of the Inn, is a long time local Horsefly resident and artist. The Inn is your ideal destination…

Xwisten Experience Tours

Xwisten Experience Tours

Visit the Bridge River Fishing Grounds - the past and current fishing area of the St'at'imc People. Learn about the traditional, wind-dried method of preserving the salmon still used by its people today. Also tour the extensive archaeological village site…