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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Looking back over the past year members of the Open Sky Creative Society are pleased with what they accomplished and are planning more initiatives for the future.

"It's been a whirlwind," said Julia Tsetso, the society's president.

Julia Tsetso, president of the Open Sky Creative Society, seen here with her moss bag that was part of the first exhibition, says the Gallery is one of the society's biggest accomplishments of the past year. - NNSL file photo

Eleven people gathered to review the society's work during its annual general meeting on Nov. 5 in Fort Simpson. Tsetso counts the OSC Gallery as the society's biggest accomplishment of the year.

"It's kind of like the hidden jewel of Fort Simpson," she said.

Tucked away in the basement of the former village office, the gallery has hosted two exhibitions since opening in June during the Open Sky Festival. The gallery was a valuable addition to the festival and received a lot of praise, she said.

"Wow. I can't believe this is in Fort Simpson. I have goosebumps," Tsetso recalled one visitor saying.

The next exhibition at the gallery, starting on Nov. 21, will be a show and sale fundraiser for the society. The society is asking local artists for work to be displayed and then sold. Twenty per cent of the sale price will go to the society while the artist retains the rest.

The society is also counting this year's Open Sky Festival as a success. In conjunction with the festival the society hosted the National Aboriginal Art Administrators and Funders Gathering.

Hosting the gathering was a lot of work but it brought in artists from across the country and gave local artists a chance to network, said Tsetso.

Looking forward, the society has a number of initiatives in the works.

One of the goals for the winter is to increase the society's programming, possibly to include workshops, said Tsetso.

As of September, the society has also started offering their First Friday Coffeehouses again after taking a break during the summer.

The coffeehouses, which started a year ago, serve as a venue for workshops and an open stage opportunity for emerging performers, said Michael Blyth, the artistic director for the society.

The society is also continuing its work on the Heritage Centre project and is developing a three-year strategic plan.

Tsetso will be continuing as president for another year after being acclaimed during the meeting. She's joined by Lisa Moore as the vice-president.

Chuck Blyth is continuing as the past-president while Anyes Fabre-Dimsdale and Marion Storm were elected as directors at large.

The society depends a lot on the work of volunteers and anyone who's interested is welcomed to join as a member, said Tsetso.