Lake Harbour (Dec 22/03) - Aniqniq Michael, or Nikki, as her friends call her, smiled warmly looking through the glass case where her jewelry was being shown on Saturday.

Around her neck she wore a stunning sterling silver creation of her own, and on her finger, a ring she made, both created after she studied in the community's jewelry program.

On Saturday, a planeload of 18 guests from Iqaluit, including Premier Paul Okalik, MLA Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association's Beth Beattie, a number of Nunavut artists and a few journalists visited Kimmirut for the day to check out the jewelry students' work, and to honour the opening of the gallery located in Soper House, the community's oldest building.

People wore their finest kamiks, vests and parkas to the event, while children played outside and looked through the windows of the little white house with green trim.

Emily Aqpik and Leah Akavak were among dozens of Kimmirut residents who found a place to stand inside Soper House on Saturday during the exciting gallery opening.

"I came here yesterday," said Aqpik, whose husband, Seemeega enjoyed taking the jewelry program. "It's a really beautiful set up. The work looks really nice."

Premier Paul Okalik called the gallery "a fine example of what you are trying to do for your community."

Born and raised in Kimmirut, Akavak, 29, has done his share of art over the years, creating the image that became the majestic caribou head that now adorns the side of the visitors centre in the hamlet.

Akavak watched people in his town of 450 people blossom in the jewelry program, and take pride in the gallery that showcases their carvings in brightly lit, museum-quality glass cases.

"I used to draw as a hobby," Akavak said of his own artistic endeavours.

Carving or jewelry making was never really his thing.

Digital photography is more up his alley these days.

But he cannot say enough about the new gallery, a place where his sister's, Mary Akavak, jewelry is now on display.

"This is great for the artists," he said, sitting on a bench at the back of the gallery where many elders watched the proceedings.

In all, six students completed the first part of the course, headed by Catherine Bechard.

There is more to come in the new year.

Kyra Fisher, a major orchestrator of the gallery in Soper House, the jewelry program itself and the opening day events on Saturday, is now pushing for a jewelry shop in the community.

Ningeokuluk Nungusuituq, a jewelry student who proudly pointed out her glittering necklaces, rings, and broaches to her son Daniel, agrees the town needs a shop to enhance the program.

Many others, including carver Ejesiak Ikkidluak, are just thrilled to see so many people taking an interest in the work being produced from soap stone, sterling silver and the colourful stones found in Kimmirut.

Although Ejesiak is still getting over the tragic death of his father Iola, a well-known carver he was all smiles Saturday, as his tall polar bear carving stood inside a glass case for all to see.

Despite family heartache, Ejesiak thought of 2003 as a year when he created many good carvings and helped elders in his community.

After guests mingled in the gallery and bought carvings and jewelry, just inside the visitors centre located next door a table filled with bannock drew everyone, while conversations in Inuktitut and English swirled about.