Yellowknife (Oct 27/06) - Last week, a once-prominent Yellowknife arts society seemed to be teetering on its last legs.

Last Wednesday night, the Aurora Arts Society held its annual general meeting upstairs at Yellowknife city hall. Leading up to the meeting, founding member Matthew Grogono sent out e-mails petitioning for new board members.

Urban Art 2006 came to an official close last week, as organizer Diane Boudreau replaced a series of paintings facing 50th St. outside of Centre Square Mall. The pieces, painted on donated plywood by a number of Yellowknife artists, replaced work done in 2004. Although the Urban Art project is not associated with the Aurora Arts Society, the works are a highlight of the society's ArtsWalk map. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

"The Aurora Arts Society needs you, do you need an arts society?" he wrote.

At the meeting, early discussion focused on the (then) resignation of president Jan Fullerton and secretary/treasurer Rosalee Power, as the members in attendance thanked the pair for their service.

As discussion turned to the success of Arts Week, the artist-in-residence program at the Visitor's Centre and the ArtsWalk Map, it was board member Vivian Gustafson who addressed the elephant in the room.

"Do we have a board?" she asked. "Do we have a future?"

The question seemed to change the mood of the 10 people in attendance.

"It would be a shame if (Aurora events) fell by the wayside," said outgoing board member Cathie Harper.

Though Fullerton pointed out the society could run with as few as three board members, Gustafson again asked the hard question.

"Do the people here have the energy?"

The Aurora Arts Society has been in operation since 1999. One of society's early - and main - goals was the creation of an artist-run arts centre in Yellowknife. The plan was never realized, as funds failed to materialize, building prices skyrocketed and community involvement became fragmented.

With around $5,000 in the bank (much of which is spoken for), three ongoing projects and little new membership, Fullerton said it was time to reorganize.

"We need to tighten up and figure out what we are and who we serve," she said. This includes deciding, once and for all, if the society is territorial or Yellowknife-based.

A quick count left the society with five board members. Longtime members Matthew Grogono, Vivian Gustafson and Terry Pamplin remained, joined by new members Jordan Martin and Denise Bekkema, who was not in attendance.

In a surprise move, Fullerton stayed on as president, though in a more limited capacity.

Oscar Aguirre, who works with the Yellowknife Francophone Association offered his own observation about where the society should focus its energy.

"If you don't have long-term goals, then you are always just surviving."