Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 20/01) - Some members of last year's jewelry program at Aurora College are taking part in a special exhibition in Nova Scotia.

The exhibition, which opened July 7 and goes for a month, is at the Houston Art Gallery in Lunenburg, and features works from Aurora College and Arctic College students.

The exhibit also includes works from students who took part in a printmaking course in Pangnirtung.

Gail Hodder and Darrin White, who taught the jewelry program in Inuvik, made the trip to Nova Scotia. Students from other communities also went.

Hodder said she was impressed by what she saw.

"It's a really professionally done display. It's such a prestigious gallery," she said.

She explained that the son of James Houston, who is well known for starting carving and printing co-ops in the Eastern Arctic, runs the gallery.

"He was able to talk to the students in their own language," Hodder said.

She said it was neat to have some of the students at such an event.

"It was pretty amazing, because the students were the big stars. They got to talk to all these people who just adore their work."

As well, Hodder said, "We had lovely weather, and we got to visit the art college there, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and we saw a presentation by a jeweller from Quebec."

One of the students, Ruth Wright, said she talked with a person who bought a broach she made. Wright said the trip was a marvellous experience.

"We met other artists from the other communities, and we got to go to different museums and different galleries," Wright said. "It was really inspirational to see all the other things people are doing."

Wright said it was also nice to visit the beach and take in a performance of the International Tattoo.

Another student, Martin Goodliffe, said he enjoyed Lunenburg, as the whole community seems to support the arts.

He added that all the Inuvik students sold pieces, and that he sold one for $1,500.