Arviat (Sep 24/03) - Carving took centre stage in Arviat this past month with 15 artists gathering for the first Inuit in Stone project.

The event brought together student-and-master carvers ranging in age from 17 to 77.

Nicholas Arnalukjuak of Arviat co-ordinated the event.

He said he had the idea for the project when his father, John -- a well-known artist in Arviat -- died three years ago.

"My dad was always encouraging me to do something for artists in the community," said Arnalukjuak

"I'm also a part-time carver and I've known many artists over the years.

"I wanted to initiate a program that might help local artists promote their work."

Arnalukjuak said something has to be done to revive the production and promotion of Inuit art in Arviat.

He said artists in Baker Lake and Cape Dorset are far ahead of those in other Nunavut communities.

"In the 1970s and '80s, local art was progressing well with the help of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

"It's kind of disappeared since the creation of Nunavut, even though we still have a number of artists who depend on their work for a living.

"We need our art to help attract tourists.

"We've come to far to turn back now."

Arnalukjuak said the two master carvers he brought to the workshop (Kiawak and Goota Ashoona) amazed the other artists.

He said one special aspect of the project was carvers of all ages and skill levels learning from one another.

"Everyone was really interested in each other's work.

"The styles were quite different. The carvings from outside of town were more detailed and precise, while local carvings tend to be more dull and abstract.

"We have a good reputation for that type of art in Arviat and it can be highly sought after by collectors."

Arnalukjuak says carvers must travel to Maguse Lake, about 130 kilometres west of Arviat, to gather soapstone for their work.

He says the difficulty in getting the stone led to his one disappointment in the project.

"I had hoped the Arviat carvers were going to make bigger pieces, but, when they brought in the soapstone, they weren't that big.

"It's difficult to get. It has to be quarried in the spring or summer and then hauled back to town in the winter, mostly by Bombardier."