Artist in Residence
Imogen Carter
Imogen Carter is a city girl originally from East London who moved to Canada five years ago, a decision she calls one of the best of her life. Settling in the Kootenays, she’s immersed herself in mountain activities like skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and mountain biking, while also creating intricate illustrations inspired by her new lifestyle.
After working as a self-taught illustrator, Imogen spent a year studying ceramics at the Kootenay School of the Arts in 2023, marking the start of her exploration with clay. This shift from detailed line drawings to working with raw materials deepened her creative process, leading to a new focus on combining earthy textures with her detailed illustrations. Her work now bridges the gap between two-dimensional art and experimental use of different mediums and surfaces.
Since moving to Nelson, Imogen has worked at Whitewater and continues to be inspired by the area's natural beauty. Whether it’s a bear snowboarding down a snowy slope, a cozy cabin with a crackling fire, or a field of wildflowers, her art reflects the essence of this mountain town. Through her work, she hopes to connect with both locals and visitors who share the same love for this incredible place.
Kathryn Wright
Kat Wright is a painter and designer and divides her time between Canmore, Alberta and Nelson BC, where she lives with her two children. Kathryn grew up in Vancouver and studied graphic design & illustration at Capilano University. She moved to Banff in 2010 and continued to live there until 2023, when she relocated her children to Nelson, BC for a calmer pace of life.
Kat was able to reconnect with her painting practice during COVID lockdowns and as her art started to gain momentum she was able to leave a career in Communications to become a full-time artist, gaining the flexibility to focus on her art career.
Artist Statement
We have saturated skies and northern lights; lakes of emerald green, turquoise and teal; rainbows of wildflowers; endless shades of blue in our frozen waterfalls and rivers; illuminated lemon yellow and lime green larches in fall; and the warm buzzing glow of our cozy cities and towns.
I have lived in Western Canada for all of my life and I understand why these places are a pilgrimage for so many around the world; they hold the power to recharge people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In my work, colour and tone are the tools I employ as much as my brushes and paints. Finding this magic is one of the most difficult jobs of any artist, but whenever I succeed I find peace – a feeling I constantly chase.
