SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Aurora Arts Society held its Ravens Take the Night Social last Friday. Northern United Place's auditorium was lined with photographs and all forms of raven-related art.

Diane Boudreau took the night's theme quite literally. - Alix McNaught/NNSL photo

In addition to the recently fired Raku ravens, the three-dimensional raven sculptures created for the Arctic Winter Games were also on display. Versions of these ravens also line the lampposts of Franklin Avenue.

Jordan Martin, the man who first created the sculptures, was on hand to give a demonstration of how they are made.

Martin, who studied art at the Alberta College of Art and Design, has been a sculptor for 15 years. He first created the raven mold four years ago.

"The idea came out of the Yellowknife Festival Society," he said. The society folded and was replaced by the current Aurora Arts Society.

Martin created the original raven model out of plasticine, which he applied over top of a wire armature. From this he was able to make a flexible silicone mould. Comprising three separate pieces, the mould is fitted within a hard case, which is screwed shut to maintain the correct form.

Through holes in the bird's feet, Martin pours the liquid plastic that eventually hardens to form the hollow raven sculptures. Approximately four to five coats of this plastic must be applied in order to create a structurally stable thickness.

Using the term "rotationally cast liquid plastic," Martin demonstrated how the raven mold must be constantly rotated to ensure an even application of the quick-drying plastic.

Before the evening was out, he had produced another raven to join the assembled unkindness.