INUVIK - If you're artistic and are looking for a way to spend a week outdoors in July, call Pat Dunn.

Dunn is the manager of communications, education and visitors services for the western arctic field unit of Parks Canada.

Parks Canada official Pat Dunn stands with a painting done in 2003 by Audrea Loreen-Wulf. Dunn is co-ordinating an annual excursion for artists to travel to nearby Ivvavik National Park for a week in June. She is looking for submissions to the program. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

She is also the co-ordinator of the annual Artists in the Park retreat in Ivvavik National Park.

The program began in 2003. Dunn came on board in 2004.

"The idea behind the trip is to give the artists eight to 10 days in Ivvavik," said Dunn.

The idea for the artists' retreat came from an artist from Whitehorse, Yukon.

"The artist took part in a similar trip that took place in Newfoundland," said Dunn.

Dunn said the Ivvavik trip is different from most other park outings for artists.

"Most other parks used for the trips are road accessible," said Dunn.

Dunn said another difference between the southern excursions and the Ivvavik trip is the number of artists at one time.

"Some other trips may have had one artist in a cabin, one at a time for a week or so," she said.

"Our trip is different because our trip takes place in eight to 10 days and a group of artists come together at once."

Dunn said the number of participants has been kept to six or seven per year.

Inuvialuit beneficiaries are given three dedicated spots on the roster because Ivvavik is co-owned by the Inuvialuit.

"It was actually the first national park established as part of an aboriginal land claim in Canada," said Dunn.

The other three spots are offered to people in town, or artists from other locations in Canada.

The deadline to sign up is May 18.

"We're advertising as heavily as we can in the region," said Dunn.

"We have already received some submissions."

The retreat will happen July 4-13.

Dunn said they tried August last year as the time for the event.

"We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to come out to the park," she said.

"The other events were in July, really it is the best time to be in the park."

Dunn said application forms can be picked up from the Parks Canada office.

"The program has been really good," said Dunn.

"We ask the artist for a piece of work from their trip and to promote the park."