Inuvik (July 24/06) - This year's Great Northern Arts Festival features fewer Nunavut artists than in years past, but that isn't dampening the spirits of organizers or artists.

"It would be nice to have a bit more," festival co-founder and curator Charlene Alexander said of the turnout from Nunavut artists this year.

"Celebrating Successful Hunt," by Arviat's Obed Anoee. The caribou antler sculpture is one of the many the Arviat artist brought to this year's Great Northern Arts Festival. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

However, she said she was pleased to see the variety of art at this year's festival, including carvers, printmakers, painters, jewellers and clothing-makers.

"We need to spread the word that we can apply as artists to come here," said Arviat carver Obed Anoee. "(Artists) need to be encouraged."

Working primarily in caribou antler, Anoee has been demonstrating his technique in the tent outside of the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in Inuvik during his second trip to the festival.

"I've been wanting to try something else," he said of his chosen medium. "We'll see what I come up with."

Printmaker, wall hanging artist and etcher Elisapee Itulu from Kimmirut said she has been coming to Inuvik on and off since 1996, between trade shows around the country.

"I've really enjoyed doing this stuff ever since I was young," she said with a smile.

She said she has always been inspired by her father, renowned scrimshaw artist Davidee Itulu, who died from cancer earlier this year.

"That's the reason I've been into art," she said.

At one point, the Great Northern Arts Festival hosted as many as 150 artists from around the North and beyond. This year, fewer than 60 artists (and around eight from Nunavut) were featured. That's considered to be a sustainable number as the festival recovers from years of debt and near-cancellations.

"It's like being a mother," Alexander said of watching the festival develop over the years.

"It's had its ups and downs, but once you get all the artists here, it has this instant energy," she said. "All the problems just get left behind."