TOAP at Twenty:
Celebrating 20 Years of the Toni Onley Artist Project

JANUARY 30, 2021 to MARCH 20, 2021
Project Room Gallery

ABOUT

As a project of Island Mountain Arts, the Artists’ Project for Professional and Emerging Artists was first offered in 2000, featuring the distinguished Canadian artist Norman Yates (1923–2014) as its inaugural mentor. The idea for the program was originally conceived out of the need for professional and emerging artists living in central and Northern British Columbia to be able to connect with their peers and have access to professional development opportunities.

Running in July each year, the participants spend nine days in Wells, BC working in the IMA studios under the mentorship of two outstanding art practitioners. In this self-directed environment, the workshop leaders produce art alongside the participants, providing a unique window into their creative process. Participants also interact with and receive mentorship from their peers.

Over the past 20 years of the program, IMA has received the support of many donors to develop a rich and robust scholarship and bursary program. This support also includes a significant contribution each year from the Toni + Bernie Cattani Fund for the Arts, providing an artist from the Okanagan the opportunity to attend this program each year. An additional scholarship has also been offered annually to a graduating student from the En'owkin's NAPAT program each year, proving them with the resources to attend the week long program.

In an effort to support these artists, the Penticton Art Galley has provided the participants with an exhibition each January to help keep the momentum going from their time spent in Wells. The artists are selected at the end of the residency by that year's participating mentors, providing many of the artists with their first professionally-curated exhibition in a public art gallery.

Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Toni Onley Artist Project, this year’s annual exhibition will celebrate this 20 year history by focusing on the work of some past mentors, including: Norman Yates, Tony Urquhart, Sherrard Grauer, Robert Murray, Michael Morris, Chris Cran, Michelle Forsyth, Peter von Tiesenhausen, David T. Alexander, John Hall, Harold Klunder, John Freeman, Lyndal Osborne, Libby Hague, Sarah Anne Johnson, Wayne White, Mimi Pond, Mark Neufeld, Leigh Bridges, Joseph M. Sanchez, Ciara Phillips, Jeffrey Spalding, Anong Migwans Beam, Shary Boyle, Lisa Milroy, Jen Mann, Diana Thorneycroft, Rita McKeough, and Michael Belmore.

Thanks to Julie Fowler, IMA's former Executive & Artistic Director, for your support of the program and collaboration and to all the mentors and participating artists.

Paul Crawford, Curator

TONY URQUHART

ROBERT MURRAY

MICHAEL MORRIS

CHRIS CRAN

MICHELLE FORSYTH

PETER VON TIESENHAUSEN

HAROLD KLUNDER

JOHN FREEMAN

LYNDAL OSBORNE

LIBBY HAGUE

SARAH ANNE JOHNSON

WAYNE WHITE

MIMI POND

MARK NEWFELD

LEIGH BRIDGES

JOSEPH M. SANCHEZ

CIARA PHILLIPS

JEFFREY SPALDING

ANONG MIGWANS BEAM

SHARY BOYLE

LISA MILROY

JEN MANN