Poet Hopeton Anderson has a vision to make Victoria an international arts destination.

The proprietor of The Well cafe on Fort Street B次元官网网址� which is more arts community space than  restaurant, with regular shows and displays B次元官网网址� is part of The Well Victoria Society, a group of local artists.

The ambitious members come from varying disciplines but share the goal to raise $35,000 in 46 days for their project, entitled Victoria: a Primary Destination for the Arts.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 four separate events that will raise the profile of Victoria as a true arts destination,B次元官网网址� said Anderson, former poet laureate of Florida Memorial University in North Miami.

B次元官网网址淭he core values have remained intact since The Well started in November of 2010, and now weB次元官网网址檙e forming a society to further promote the arts and wellness of the city.B次元官网网址�

The initiative will broaden VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 festival calendar, beginning in 2013. At the heart of the vision is The WellB次元官网网址檚 signature event and the already successful Spirit of Canada contest, which started in 2011.

B次元官网网址淭hink Canadian Idol meets a poetry, spoken word and singer/songwriter, which will grow even larger with the eventual goal of going national,B次元官网网址� said Shantel Cordeiro, fundraising coordinator for the campaign. B次元官网网址�

The society will also introduce two new festivals, the Nobel Laureate Festival of the Arts, June 30 to July 6, and the Sacred Gospel Musical Festival, Aug. 1 to 4. Finally is an annual Symposium of Health and Wellness, to run Sept. 1 to 6, which would bring practitioners together to speak on wellness B次元官网网址渁t the forefront of the sustainability movement.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淵ou look at our festival, the Spirit of Canada, and there is no other national contest like it,B次元官网网址� Anderson said.

B次元官网网址淣ov. 10 is only five weeks away. These funds will help get us the help we need to secure government grants and greater sponsorship for 2013,B次元官网网址� said Cordeiro. The communications specialist has experience with major events on the Island, as she worked five years with LifeSport Coaching, the organizer of the Subaru Western Triathlon Series.

For more information visit indiegogo.com/thewellvictoria, call 250-590-4995, or email Cordeiro at shantel@thewellvictoria.com.