Inuvik - The 20th Great Northern Arts Festival is upon us and by the looks of it, off to a great start.

Visiting artists and art enthusiasts started filing into town last week for the opening ceremonies on Friday night.

Kevin Floyd prepares a kayak for a demonstration later this week. Artists and officials said the event got off to a successful start this year. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Local painter and sculptor Barry McEvoy said he enjoyed the ceremony.

"It's been spectacular," he said. "The drummers and dances were there, it was extremely well done."

Festival executive director Tony Devlin agreed the event is off to a strong start.

"We had a few hundred people for the opening ceremonies, which was bigger than in years past," he said.

Devlin said the size of the new venue has worked in favour of expanding the event.

"I've heard from people that it's a much better layout," he said.

"It's a much more efficient use of the space."

Devlin said the night entertainment will keep the audiences moving.

For his part, as an artist participant, McEvoy gave organizers good reviews.

"The volunteer service has been great. The food has been excellent as well."

The artist thought the expanded gallery in the curling rink was a good idea, but said a bit more could have been done with the upper-ceiling area.

"It just looks a little bare, maybe something could have been filling that space," he said.

The bigger gallery means more space for the art, which is important for artists like McEvoy.

"It gives more room to stand back and see the art," he said.

This is the second festival McEvoy has participated in.

"I plan on being a part of this again and again," he said.

Kevin Floyd is experiencing a bit of a homecoming himself.

Born in Victoria, B.C., he has family from Inuvik.

He was busy this week making a kayak for a festival demonstration.

"I really want to get this finished and get into the water," he said.

An accomplished kayaker, Floyd wants to get youth interested in traditional activities, which are important to the local culture.

"Young people should be participating in activities like this," he said on Monday as he fastened some rope to the frame of the kayak.

Also taking place this weekend will be Inuvik's 50th anniversary events, arts festival director Devlin said. He hoped crowds coming to see anniversary events would also take time to see the arts festival.

The Great Northern Arts Festival closes July 20.