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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Aurora Arts Society's fifth annual Arts Week starts tomorrow, offering exhibits and events until Sept. 28.

The organizing artists would be very happy to see lots of interest from all sectors of the public, according to Vivian Gustafson, vice president of Aurora Arts Society.

Sculptor Jordan Martin designed the now-famous raven statues perched around Yellowknife as a reminder of the important role art plays in the everyday life of the community. Martin's raven serves as a mascot for the fifth annual Arts Week, organized by volunteers with the Aurora Arts Society. - graphic courtesy of Astrid Kruse

"I just want people to come out, experience Arts Week and acknowledge the fact that there are some really good artists in the community," Gustafson said. "If the public and the politicians and the business community come out and see what we're actually doing they may be quite surprised."

The schedule for the week, organized entirely by volunteers, is surprising in itself.

The week kicks off on Saturday with a bevy of demonstrations in the Prince of Wales cafeteria from noon until 4 p.m. Ten artists will demonstrate their work, providing opportunities to learn about their techniques. Where possible, artists will invite viewers to join in the creative process.

The ArtsWalk Gallery is on display in the Prince of Wales Auditorium throughout the whole week, featuring 30 artists showcasing 10 different art forms in a variety of media.

"This year the ArtsWalk gallery will try to represent just about everybody," said society president Terry Pamplin. "We have the jewelry makers represented, the Arts Guild basket weavers, painting, drawing and textile artists."

The Trashformation contest entries, numbering about two dozen, will be exhibited in the auditorium as well. The pieces represent art fashioned from salvaged material from the city dump. If last year's highly original submissions are any indication of what to expect, these exhibit pieces will prove that beauty and weirdness are not mutually exclusive qualities.

The third annual ArtsWalk map will be distributed starting tomorrow. It includes a pull-out schedule of open house events hosted by artist studios throughout the city on Sept. 27.

The Aurora Arts Society formed and incorporated in 1999 with a mandate to promote arts and culture in Yellowknife.

The society encourages artists of all ages who are interested in working on society initiatives to introduce themselves to a society member or to inquire about the annual general meeting, which will be scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 28.