Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

RANKIN INLET - The second annual student art show at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet attracted a solid crowd of art lovers this past week.

The show featured the work of students from kindergarten to senior high.

Principal Harold Goobie said although the numbers were down a tad from the previous year, he was more than pleased with the turnout.

He said art is part of the standard curriculum for students in kindergarten to Grade 6, so each home-room teacher does their own project with their class.

He said that remains true until the senior grades, when art programs can become more specialized in their delivery.

"The art show is all about showcasing the talents of the kids," said Goobie.

"We focus a lot on culture and tradition within our programming, and language and Northern artwork are major components of that approach.

"Culture doesn't play a role in every piece of artwork the students produce, but the making of masks has a distinct Northern flair to it as do many of the drawings.

"So, basically, the reinforcement of certain aspects of their culture is shown through the artwork."

Goobie said he received a number of positive comments from parents who attended the show.

He said a number of people who had no connection to the school whatsoever also dropped by to check out the show and were impressed by what they saw.

"The show used to be held a number of years ago, but faded away at some point.

"It was revived in 2006 when a group of teachers, who have been here for awhile, decided it should be held again.

"There's lots of sports and other activities that get showcased in town, but art fell behind a little before this initiative began again."

Goobie said the teachers deserve credit for the art show because the students' talents are developed through their efforts.

He said there were many ingenious ideas put to paper for the show and the teachers put in a lot of effort to get those ideas out.

"The teachers coax the talent out of the kids and develop it on a daily basis.

"That talent may never get out if someone isn't there to nurture it, and that's the role teachers play when it comes to art in our schools."