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INUVIK
East 3 School's art and travel club is working to raise $55,000 to explore its members' passion for art in England during the March break.

East 3 art and travel club members Haley Smith, left, and Chavaughn Blake paint faces during the craft sale to raise money to go to London, England. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo

The 10 students came one step closer to their goal over the weekend by selling crafts and baked goods as well as painting faces at the Great Northern Arts Society Christmas Craft and Gift Fair.

Visual arts teacher and club organizer Lexi Winchester said the experience of raising money for the trip to London has had a positive effect on the club members.

"When you go on trips like this it helps bond students, helps give them a sense of community. They work together to fundraise the money, then they get this amazing reward for it," Winchester said.

The art and travel club was created last year after Winchester noticed there was a group of students with a great interest in art. Winchester said she and the other chaperon accompanying the youth considered a few different locations before settling on London.

"We kind of focused in on London for a few reasons. One is because it is the first big trip that we're doing so a really practical reason is that it's an English-speaking country," she said. "At the same time it is a really big centre for art. There is Tate Modern National Gallery. I mean they have galleries just devoted to subjects, not to mention the architecture of the city itself is gorgeous."

Grade 12 student Haley Smith, who enjoys drawing, said she is very excited about the trip and thinks her teacher picked the right location.

"I think there will be a lot of good artwork there," Smith said, adding this will be her first time in the city.

Alison McDonald joined the club after hearing from a friend about it. When she first became a member, she said, she wasn't overly optimistic they would reach their goal.

"I thought it was going to be difficult and we weren't going to get as much money but we're really doing good so far," McDonald said.

The members have raised about $14,000 so far. They are hoping their next two big fundraisers will bring them very close to their goal. They are selling raffle tickets for the chance to win $10,000 or 11 other cash prizes. And later they plan to host a dinner and silent auction.

Students also have to pitch in $500 for the trip.

If the club doesn't reach its goal, Winchester said, they will still travel but to a less costly destination, such as Vancouver.

Either way, Winchester said during the club's adventure she hopes to expose the youth to not only traditional art but alternative art as well, such as that found at Madame Tussaud's wax museum.

"One of the things I want kids to know is that art isn't just someone who paints and who puts a painting on a wall," she said. "There are so many other things that they can do."

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