Laura Power
Northern News Services
Monday, July 30, 2007

INUVIK - Fifteen artists from around the NWT gathered in Inuvik for 10 days to showcase the rich diversity of traditional Northern art.

The 19th annual Great Northern Arts Festival celebrated the works of artists from Sachs Harbour in the north to Fort Smith in the south. Beginning on Friday, July 20, the event wrapped up Sunday, July 29.

"It's a really big and diverse region. We try to represent a bit of everything," said Marnie Hilash, executive director of the festival.

Jeremy Allen of the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers took to the stage at the opening ceremonies of the Great Northern Arts Festival. Laura Power/NNSL photo

To add to the festival's lineup Trout Lake sent an artist for the first time. As in past years, artists from Nunavut also attended, bringing their own unique artistic touch to the festival.

Inuvik itself was represented during the opening ceremony as the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers took to the stage. Two of the NWT's artists also brought in the whale bone this year, which has become a traditional way to commence the festival.

A more experienced artist from Inuvik, William Gruben held one side of the bone while the youngest artist at this year's festival, 16-year-old Stevie Nande, held the other side.

Those who were in Inuvik to take in some of the festival had the chance to admire everything from homemade baskets to paintings to photography. Those who were there to work had their own set of opportunities.

"I get to do a lot more work than what I do at home. It keeps me busy and enjoy doing it here," said Ronnie Simon, who displayed some of his paintings and helped out with the framing of new work produced at the festival.

Simon, originally of Fort McPherson, has been painting on and off for 15 years and began framing seven years ago. As one of the artists who has sold his work through the festival, he explained the importance of such an event.

"People know their work and what kind of artwork they do, and it gets their name out there," he said.

Robert Buckle, a jewelry maker from Aklavik, has been going to the festival for 10 years and said that it is a great way to meet other artists.

"I find it's a good opportunity to network with other artists and to learn from one another," he said, though he said it's also a great way "to sell your work directly to people, and for people to get to know you."

Maidie-Ann Turner, an artist from Inuvik, said she enjoys the opportunity to meet with artists from all over.

"It's great because it's such a large place. A lot of artists don't get to meet each other so this is sort of like a gathering," she said. "It's nice that there's a function like this within the territory so we can gather."

Turner said that people will often gain inspiration from the other artists around them at the festival, and that it is not strictly about meeting buyers and

"I look forward to this all year," she said. "I know a lot of people do."