Kimmirut (Mar 20/06) - Economic development officers are hoping a series of jewelry-making workshops in Kimmirut and Cape Dorset will be the spark local economies need.

Kimmirut development officer Kyra Fisher said the classes focus on readily-available materials that can be worked with quickly and easily. In Kimmirut, she said this means using the large number of available gemstones. "The approach is to do as much as you can in the community with what you have," she said.

As an added boost, work from both classes will be displayed at the Museum Nunatta Sunakkutaagnit in Iqaluit, starting in April.

The classes are being taught by Montreal multimedia artist Catherine Bechard. She said she tries to bring something new to traditional artwork, incorporating the use of acrylic colouring, among other techniques.

"We want these works to stand out, to represent local tradition in ways people are not used to seeing," she said.

She said there is a market in the south for Kimmirut and Cape Dorset artists, so long as they keep producing to fill the demand.

"She works them really hard, but it motivates them," Fisher said of Bechard's teaching. "We had people who had never worked in jewelry before producing incredible work."

Fisher said the eventual goal is to create a series of independent studios in Kimmirut and Cape Dorset, each producing a steady stream of material. She said the biggest challenge right now is keeping the artists motivated.

"There are programs to help people," she said. "Ultimately, you have to dig deep within yourself to make things happen."

A former professional artist, Fisher said she understands the difficulties artists face in running a studio. In Kimmirut, artists have to deal with a lack of workspace and materials.

"Accommodations aren't just limited (in Kimmirut), she said. "There aren't any."

Elisapee Itulu, one of the students involved in the classes, said she would be very interested in developing her own studio one day. Right now, however, she is focused on caring for her sick father. Itulu said she has had trouble obtaining art materials, which has forced her to put her art aside for years at a time. "You have to get supplies," she said. "There's nothing out here."