Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Fort Smith (Oct 13/03) - Chris DeWolf's title is coordinator for The Artists of the South Slave Society, but those who know her ongoing efforts to stimulate people's creativity, might liken her to a travel agent of the arts in the North.

Wearer of many hats, DeWolf is a graphic artist by trade, practitioner of various arts and crafts in her free time and facilitator for many of the creative goings-on in the South Slave region.

"There are a lot of things happening, like the drawing club on Monday nights and if that works out, we'll start a watercolour painting club next month," she said.

For the two years DeWolf has been at the helm, the society has become a well-known and vibrant supporter of the arts.

"We have no problem now getting instructors where before it was difficult," she said.

Incorporated as a non-profit society in 1998, it was four years before TASSS got its permanent home on Breynat St. in Fort Smith.

"Having our own space gives us legitimacy," she said. "Our next goal is to have a multi-use centre outfitted with a variety of tools and equipment."

DeWolf said that such a space would allow people to try different things, such as pottery, without having to spend a lot of money at the outset.

Included in DeWolf's resume of accomplishments is painting of four pelicans wading on the Slave River that was chosen for the cover of this year's Northwestel directory.

Replacing her artist's hat with a managerial one, she coordinated the Summer Workshop Series in Fort Smith, the only one of its kind in the Northwest Territories.

"We have a lot of hidden talent around the north so what we are trying to provide is a venue to create, display and socialize with other like-minded people," she said.

For more information about TASSS, visit the web site at www.tasss.com or call 872-3123.