Inuvik (July 28/06) - After the 10-day-long Great Northern Arts Festival, Marnie Hilash and her crew are tying up some loose ends and celebrating a job well done.

"It was all just a blur to me," said Hilash with a laugh, as she rested in the now empty room where the gallery once stood.

The festival, which celebrated its 18th anniversary, saw visitors from all over the globe, said Hilash.

"It was all great. We had a visitors map up and pins have been placed on nearly every corner of it."

While some thought the festival would be much smaller than in years past, Hilash said the event featured a good group of performers and artists.

"We had about 60 artists, and a good selection of performers on our stages," she said.

"Some artists from here in town dropped in at the last minute, which helped us out as well."

Festival sales manager Karen Balinak said the event was a success.

"We made about $130,000 for the gallery, which will go to expenses and toward next year's festival," said Balinak.

Even though the sales were down from last year's totals, the aftermath put smiles on both co-ordinators' faces.

Ruth Wright, an abstract artist, was one of the people who took full advantage of the event.

"It was a great festival," said Wright.

"I thought the number of artists was a good group. We were all like a family."

Wright was also one of the filmmakers who took part in a film festival that coincided with the arts fair.

"I painted on canvas, with items like feathers and beads sewn on my art," she said.

With 2006 becoming a memory and 2007's festival now in their sights, Hilash said she is looking for ideas for the next theme.

"We haven't chosen one yet, some ideas are floating around, but we want some input from the community first."