Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Jan 27/06) - Going door to door and holding meetings in each community in the Deh Cho, Susan Marie is a one-woman arts promotion team.

Between Jan. 16 and 27, Marie travelled the region to raise awareness of the Open Sky Creative Society and festival. The work is all part of the development of a three-year action plan for the society.

"We are trying to nurture the arts and help to contribute to their development," said Tonya Cazon, executive director of the society.

Marie said a lot of work is still needed to promote the festival. Many people in the communities haven't heard about it, but those who have find it a great way to showcase their work, she said.

There is also strong interest in the festival from youth who play music, she said.

Marie, who specializes in preserving ancient and traditional art techniques, also provided information about funding options for the arts. Being an artist helped her to communicate.

"When it's another artist to another artist, it's easier to understand," she said.

The information gathered during Marie's tour will be combined with a strategic plan developed two years ago to create the three-year plan for the society, said Cazon.

Financial sustainability, sufficient staffing and planned programming are some of the society's goals.

"We'd like to be able to pay artists to put on workshops all year round so there is always something going on," said Cazon.

Renovating the Sacred Heart Rectory is on the list of things to work towards so the society can apply for core funding. Having a museum would also provide a space for visiting artifacts, she said.

In the short term, plans for this year's festival, set for June 30 to July 3, are well underway. Simone Hanos has been hired as the new festival co-ordinator.

Cazon hopes that one representative from each community will take an interest and come to the action plan meeting to help decide the future of the society.

"You can't be an egocentric artist here. You have to be involved in the community," said Cazon.