Arctic Bay (Apr 21/03) - As an effort to promote the talents and beauty of Arctic Bay, an economic development committee in the community has organized an exhibit that will travel to a museum in Perth, Ont.

Jacqueline Marshall is organizing an exhibit that will showcase Arctic Bay at a museum in Ontario. She said the event has been more than two years in the making, and she hopes it will help generate interest in the community and its artists. - photo courtesy of Ron Elliott

"We've been working on the project for over a year now. We've shipped down 31 boxes to Perth containing carvings, crafts and other cultural pieces," said committee member and economic development officer for the hamlet, Jacqueline Marshall.

It was Marshall who came up with the idea to market Arctic Bay in this way. She's been working for the community's hamlet office for six years and said she's been thinking about it for a long time.

Ron Elliott is also a member of the economic development committee. He said there will be over $70,000 of Arctic Bay crafts on exhibit. He said they are not only on display, but they are also for sale.

"Our goal is that another museum will come along and say they like what we've done. We're trying to promote the artists and the town," he said.

Though most of the committee will not get to see the actual exhibit in Perth, it will be visited by some Arctic Bay residents. The community's mayor Joanasie Akumalik will be there for the exhibit's opening and Marshall will be there for the duration. She is leaving her position with the hamlet on April 30 and moving back to Perth, her hometown, with her husband.

"I have resigned my position here and I will be leaving on April 30. I will get to set up the exhibit with the curator at the Perth Museum before the show starts on May 17," said Marshall.

The hamlet has hired her to coordinate the exhibit which will be on display until Aug. 15.