Arts festival on track for greatness
Organizers renew call for volunteers
Sarah Ladik
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 30, 2016
INUVIK
As the Great Northern Arts Festival approaches, organizers are gearing up for what promises to be one of the best events yet.
Elizabeth Kolb, left, and Marie Horstead work on planning out workshops for the Great Northern Arts Festival, coming up in just a few weeks. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo
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"With our focus on evening entertainment, I think it's going to be a particularly lively year," said executive director Marie Horstead. "We've been able to create a really great, welcoming atmosphere."
Still, one of the top concerns in making the 28th annual event run smoothly is making sure it's properly staffed. Horstead said that while she has spoken to many returning volunteers eager to come back to help again, there is always room for more. The festival, taking place July 15 to 24, needs between 70 and 80 volunteers each year, and about 45 volunteers - 30 returning and 15 new - have already signed up.
"They get to be part of all the fun," said Horstead. "There are different cool jobs, and what they end up doing depends on their own interests and abilities."
And that's not even touching on the perks, including swag from the festival, among other things like getting first choice on items for sale in the art gallery. Horstead said there is something for everyone.
"Anyone who wants to be involved is welcome," she said.
Although this is Horstead's first year with the festival, she said she has made use of her friendship with a former executive director, as well as artist liaison Elizabeth Kolb, who was an artist in the show herself for several years.
"Elizabeth has been really key in making it feel really welcoming this year," she said. "It's kind of a big reunion feeling and a really lively atmosphere."
Kolb has also been largely in charge of figuring out the schedule for the 60 workshops and 10 children's workshops on the list last week.
With so much to choose from, the roughly 100 visitors to the festival per day won't be lacking for attractions.
"The elders always run amazing workshops," Horstead said, adding that the new additions to this year's lineup - including a ceramics artist from Nunavut - are sure to be hits.
"It'll be a great time for everyone."
