Artists hone skills at workshop
Two-week course teaches Pond Inlet residents about printmaking
Myles Dolphin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, March 24, 2014
MITTIMATALIK/POND INLET
Four Pond Inlet residents have made it through a grueling printmaking workshop with an internationally recognized artist.
Thomas Peterloosie, Kitty Komangapik, Thomas Pewatualuk and Sheeba Shappa took part in the intense, two-week course with award-winning instructor Jenn Whitford Robins.
More than 45 kilograms of supplies were brought up to the community at the end of February so the group could work on stencil printmaking.
Komangapik said it was tough at first but she's happy she stuck with it by attending every day.
"The first print I made, it was hard, and I cried a few times," she said.
"I slowly got the hang of it and enjoyed learning about all the supplies and how to use them. I usually do watercolour drawings and have always been interested in printmaking, so I wanted to learn how to do it."
Robins, who has also given workshops in Tuktoyaktuk, said the group of quick-learners was a pleasure to work with.
"At first, they started with just doing a single colour of black and then progressed to more stencils," she said.
"It was marvellous working with them. When I come up North and I volunteer, everything I show is immediately understood."
The group's work was displayed to members of the community on the last day of the workshop, March 12, at the Nattinnak Centre.
Pewatualuk said he felt both nervous and excited about showing off his work.
He attended every day because he wanted to learn the basics of printmaking and take advantage of the instructor's expertise.
"I've always been interested in it but never had access to the supplies," he said.
"I hope we get to sell out tonight. We're going to try to do this every week," he added, referring to the group's desire to meet on a weekly basis and work on their printmaking skills.
Peterloosie was the group's most prolific artist, creating almost a dozen prints in just two weeks.
He said he was excited to take part in the course as soon as he heard about it on the local radio station.
"I was willing to join because I wanted to learn more about how we can use our traditional life in the North," he said.
"I've enjoyed learning from the instructor and I'm happy we'll be able to keep working on it after she's gone."
The new skills may also lead to employment opportunities and additional income down the road, said the community's economic development officer, Colin Saunders.
"We do have an artist market," he said, "and we would like to continue one with tourism as well.
"This would help residents who rely on arts and crafts, and benefit the cruise ship market."
