Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 17, 2007

CAPE DORSET - It has been seven years since Cape Dorset has had a program for carvers, a bit surprising in a community of more than 100 carvers and a big reputation in the art world.

This creation by Etulu Etidloie is one of the carvings that were finished at the carving workshop in Cape Dorset last week. - Photo courtesy of Tamar Powell

Tamar Powell of Northwest Company felt it was time to bring such a thing back. She took it upon herself to organize a workshop this year to cater to the needs of dozens of Dorset artists.

Between Sept. 5-9, 30 carvers and three instructors gathered outside the Northern Store to work together. There were teenagers, elders and many ages in between.

"I was hoping more would show up, but I think 30 was a really good turnout for a town like this where a lot of people work," said Powell.

One of the participants was Ricky Jaw, a 19-year-old carver who recently got back into carving after several years away from it.

"The workshop was awesome and the stone was free," said Jaw, who is working on a six-foot-long sculpture of a dogsled team made from soapstone and caribou antler.

Powell said that while the workshop was a formal learning experience, it was also an exercise in camaraderie.

"It wasn't just the instructors teaching. It was everybody really getting together and learning off each other," she said.

Jaw agreed that he learned from working with the many artists.

"One thing I learned from the other carvers was taking time, not to rush," he said.

Kyra Fisher was one of the representatives of Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association at the workshop.

She was there to teach the artists about marketing and travelling with their work. She said many of the artists had trouble acquiring a passport.

Jerry Riley, a professional photographer who accompanied her on the trip to Dorset agreed to take passport quality pictures.

Better yet, there is now someone in Cape Dorset who is qualified to take them in the future.

Fisher said it was exciting to see all the artists working together. She made mention of one young artist in particular, Ning Ashoona.

"She's really gutsy - she can make wonderful things," Fisher said, remembering some of Ashoona's work, which included a small carving of an ATV with turning wheels.

"I think she's an important young female artist and there are very few female artists compared to male artists," she said.

Through rain, cold and even a little snow, the artists worked outdoors the whole time.

Next year, if the workshop were to happen again, Fisher said it would be nice to have a place indoors.

There is also talk of having a similar workshop in Kugaaruk.

For a first-time workshop, people seem pretty pleased with the results.

"It turned out alright, more than alright," said Jaw.