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REPULSE BAY
Nine Repulse Bay elders will have their personal portraits delivered by renowned pencil artist Gerald Kuehl this coming month.

Repulse Bay elder Semi Malliki was interviewed and photographed by renowned pencil artist Gerald Kuehl, right, in Repulse Bay. - photo courtesy of Gerald Kuehl

Kuehl will be in Repulse for Calm Air's annual Christmas feast, and is taking the opportunity to tie-up some loose ends with the elders.

Twelve elder portraits hang in Tusarvik School.

They were delivered by Kuehl four years ago as departing Tusarvik principal Leonie Aissaoui's gift to the community.

Kuehl said it's hard to believe it's been four years since he delivered the portraits.

He said it was an incredibly nice gesture by Aissaoui, which showed how fond she'd become of Repulse.

"I managed to get three elders their personal portraits, but I still have the other nine for various reasons.

"I'd been thinking about that for a couple of years now, and Calm Air having its feast there this year gave me the chance to tie-up those loose ends and deliver the other nine.

"I'm really looking forward to handing them out to the elders this coming month."

Kuehl said there's no big ceremony planned for the elders to receive their portraits.

He said it will actually be nice to hand them out at the Christmas feast.

"The community has always treated me like royalty and I'm going to be relieved to finally deliver these portraits.

"The people are so nice and I've always enjoyed my time in Repulse.

"The last time I was there with a few other people, they actually put on a drum dance for us.

"Efforts like that can make a person feel special."

Kuehl said he's been told Tusarvik's art teacher is really looking forward to meeting him, and a number of teachers he knew four years ago are still at the school.

He said he's looking forward to meeting old friends in the community and making new ones during this visit.

"I know at least one of the elders has passed away, so a family member will be on hand to accept the portrait.

"Unfortunately, this has happened a couple of times in the past and I let the family work out who will accept it.

"It should be a nice addition to the post-feast activities; to call up the elders or a family member to accept the portraits in front of all those kids.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

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