INUVIK - The stage is set and Inuvik is on the cusp of another Great Northern Arts Festival.

Maidie Anne Turner works on a stained glass globe in her home studio. Turner has been preparing for the upcoming Great Northern Arts Festival and is looking forward to the event. Co-ordinator Marnie Hilash has also been busy getting the final preparations ready for Friday's opening ceremony. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The annual event begins Friday and runs 10 days, with gallery showings and film presentations peppering the agenda.

Executive director Marnie Hilash has been busy finalizing last minute tasks and is now ready to open the gallery doors on Friday night.

"The theme is 'Northern hearts, Northern hands,'" said Hilash.

Hilash said she wanted a theme that represented all art forms and not just one medium.

"I wanted to show where the art really comes from," she said.

"It's something that all artists have in common."

Hilash said that 2007 is the year of the craft, so the theme seemed appropriate for the arts festival society.

Hilash said numerous artists have been confirmed for the show and their travel is being confirmed this week.

"There are some artists who couldn't come," said Hilash. "It is unfortunate, but life happens."

Hilash has been executive director of the festival for two years and knows that the festival works on a formula.

"We don't tend to change the events too much," she said.

"Some things are being moved around, but it's mostly the same as past years."

The traditional old-time dance will be held on the first Saturday of the show.

Hilash said the biggest change is that the annual fashion show has been moved to the second Saturday, July 28.

"We moved the fashion show to family day, so we could make better use of the stage," said Hilash.

"In past years, we've had to rush to take the stage down from the Friday night show, so this might be easier."

A concert is planned for July 27. Hilash said that the live music will be a welcome addition to the lineup for the week.

"The concert will be on a level of professionalism that we haven't tried before," she said.

While Hilash is busy in her office preparing for opening night, local artist Maidie Anne Turner is in her studio, working on some new glass pieces.

Turner has been working with stained glass for many years and is looking forward to the festival.

"I'm bringing some windows, sun catchers and prints to the show this year," said Turner.

This is Turner's fourth time participating in the festival.

"I only had windows for the first year, then moved onto painting and window hangings," said Turner.

For Turner, making the pieces for the art show begins a month after the festival ends for the year.

"I'm working full-time and do the pieces in my free time, so it takes a while and it's labour intensive," said Turner.

The Inuvik artist is also one of the participants who works on her art at the site during the festival.

"I love working in the venue, because people are always asking questions and it's really hands on," said Turner.

"I really enjoy this art and it's my way of expressing myself."