RANKIN INLET - The work artists create often has a deeply personal meaning for them.

For some, all they see and experience as they journey through life is poured into their creations.

Noah Tiktak works with a piece of delicate jewellery during a recent workshop in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Phillip Ugjuk of Rankin Inlet was young and raw when he started to work at the Matchbox Gallery in 1994.

For the next five years he immersed himself in design drawing, paint, stencil, print and ceramic pottery.

He said while he enjoyed all his work, he was always on the lookout for new opportunities.

"I heard there was an opening in a jewelry course in Rankin in 1999, and it was something I thought I would like to do," said Ugjuk.

"I spent two years in the program and learned a lot.

"I enjoyed it, so I decided to take a course in Iqaluit from September to December in 1999.

"It was a lot of fun and as I learned more and became more confident, I started to really enjoy making jewelry and still do today."

Paul Sanertanut joined Ugjuk and a number of other local artisans in a jewelry-making workshop held at the Matchbox Gallery this past April.

Sanertanut was attracted by the opportunity to learn a new technique from Claude Roussel of Iqaluit.

He said he enjoys working the metal for his creations, but art is more to him than creating something for people to admire.

"I have been encouraging others to learn how to create art for many, many years," said Sanertanut.

"It really doesn't matter what type of art they do, as long as they're doing something positive.

"I encourage young and old to try because it's healthy for the mind and spirit.

"There's a calmness with art that's hard to explain, but you feel it inside when you make something from nothing."