Iqaluit (May 22/06) - Every high school holds fundraisers, but Iqaluit's Inuksuk high school is taking theirs one step further.

The school's various programs came together on Wednesday for a large art show and sale to prove to students that art could be more than a hobby.

"I want them to realise that there is a market out there for art," said art instructor Linda Grant. "Especially in the North."

She said more than 150 students were involved in the sale, which saw all of the funds raised go directly to the artists, since they did all the work.

This included creating the art, promoting the sale to radio stations and posting flyers.

Students brought work from classes in general art, traditional skills, shop and - a new addition - jewelry making.

This last class is taught by new instructor Marek Lasocki, who has been with the school since March. He agreed the sale had gone well, and he was pleased with the variety of work on display.

"There were ceramics, woodworking, kayak building," Lasocki said. "It was pretty successful."

Grant said the turnout to the show was great, and quite a few items were sold, though she said this was not surprising.

"The community here is very supportive of the students," she said. "There is always a good turnout."

She said scheduling the sale for the same night as parent teacher conferences didn't hurt, either.

Of course, actually selling the items was not mandatory. She said some students became too attached to their works to part with them.

As another boon for Inuksuk, Grant said that two students from the art program were awarded with grants from Nancy and Richard Gillis. Josh Corbett was given a bursary worth $1,500, and Alex Anaviapik was given an award for $500.

Both awards have been in place for the last four years, but this is the first time the bursary, slated for a graduating student moving on to a post-secondary arts program, has been given out.

"This is the first year a student has met the requirements," said Grant.

"Each year the Gillises go through all the students' work, and they always make a fantastic choice."