by Janet Smellie
Northern News Services

NNSL (Oct 06/97) - Jewelry makers across Nunavut are now busy learning their craft through Nunavut Arctic College.

Part of the college's Fine Arts and Crafts Program, the Jewelry and Metalworks program, is being offered in Arviat, Baker Lake, Repulse Bay, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit.

The college is also looking into starting programs in Cape Dorset and Clyde River.

Now in its seventh year, the program has graduated such talents as Ruben Komangapik, who is now running his own retail shop in Iqaluit and Looty Pijamini from Grise Fiord whose sterling silver creation (The Flying Bowl) now graces the cover of the NorthwesTel telephone directory.

"The work they produce uses great imagery," says instructor Tracy Lee, who joined the Nunatta campus staff this September. "I think the program offers such great potential because of the nature of the work. The northern designs and Inuit craftmanship have a big selling."

"The students seem really committed and conscientious but more importantly they're patient. You start to get a greater appreciation for jewelry when you're actually designing and making it."

Beth Biggs, who now serves as the senior instructor for the program based in Iqaluit, spent last year helping set up the program in Arviat.

"I had such a great group. The high point was the exhibition at the Spirit Wrestler Gallery in Vancouver. Eleven students from the communities got to go to Vancouver for the opening in June. They had more than 200 pieces, but by the time it was over there were only 30 left," Biggs says.

"The gallery was absolutely fabulous, they sent the brochure out to all the international collectors. As soon as the show opened the phone wouldn't stop ringing."

Working with brass, copper and sterling silver, students have a choice of taking a two-year diploma program or a one-year certificate.

Biggs notes what's promising about jewelry making is that it's not a difficult business to break into.

"There's very little overhead required when students graduate and want to start up their own business. You don't require a large work space and it's easy to transport. Economically, for an artist it makes a lot of sense."