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INUVIK - He's held the position for only a year and half now, but the Great Northern Arts Festival executive director has big ambitions.

"There's a lot of proud history here," said Tony Devlin. "I have to continue and live up to that and what this event means to the artists and region. But I see the potential of where it could be down the road and I think we're at a happy medium right now.

Tony Devlin, Great Northern Arts Festival executive director, poses with some past promotional posters of the annual event. Featuring the likes of Nunavut based ArtCirq, the upcoming festival in July should be another spectacular showing of Northern artists. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"We're remaining true to the core values and also creating a world class event that Inuvik and the Beaufort Delta can be proud of."

Twenty-one years strong, the festival's theme this time around is "Old Legends, New Dreams." That means Devlin and his supporting cast of organizers are focused on mentoring up-and-coming artists with established veterans such as master carvers coming in from as far away as Nunavut.

"If there's someone carving and doesn't know what that next step is, we'll match them up with someone who will take them under their wing, and who knows where that kid might be."

Applications are available at the festival's website (www.gnaf.org) for youth interested in participating in the mentorship program as well as local artists wanting to showcase their work at the various venues.

Running from July 10 to 19, the annual event promises to be jam-packed with 50 to 60 interactive artist workshops for kids and adults ranging from carving, painting, Northern writing, as well as photography.

Devlin said he's hoping the festival will also feature throat singers. Mashed in between will be all kinds of entertainment from coffee house jams to old-time dances.

The world-renowned Nunavut-based ArtCirq (Arctic Circus) will be making its debut at the festival performing from July 16 to 18. Through its spectacular performances, Devlin said the group carries on Inuit culture and stories, which supports the festival's ultimate philosophy.

"It's about embracing what makes Northern artists so unique and fascinating," he said. "We are the only pan-territorial arts festival in Canada. We are the only festival that brings in artists from across Canada's Arctic regions."

Devin is quick to point to some big names that got their start at the event, including Jennifer Walden, an accomplished Yellowknife-based artist, and Abraham Ruben of Paulatuk, who's among the finest wood carvers in North America.

Thanks to a partnership with the NWT Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, the festival will showcase three high-end art gallery representatives from Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

Patrick Harrison, an Inuvik-based sculptor, participated in the first festival and maintains a small market for his work. He has showcased his pieces at the annual event on and off since.

He's planning to do the same this year, adding it's an essential celebration of Northern art that should be supported by artists and residents alike.

"It's really important," he said. "It should be getting more important. It's a great thing and we should really strive to get as many good artists for it as possible."