INUVIK
The latest edition of the Great Northern Arts Festival is underway, and by all accounts, it is a hit.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, left, examines a carving by Labrador painter Mary Penashue at the Great Northern Arts Festival July 17. - Kaila Jefferd-Moore/NNSL photo

"Part of what I was nervous about was the stuff I couldn't anticipate," said executive director Marie Horstead.

"Turns out, the elements I couldn't anticipate are the ones I'm having the most fun with."

With more than 70 workshops involving about 55 artists over the course of nearly two weeks, the festival is drawing people from far and wide to its galleries. Those visitors include Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett.

"True artists are always artists," she said after touring both the workshop area as well as showcase gallery at the Midnight Sun Complex.

Bennett noted that a secure personal identity, deeply rooted in tradition, is the way forward for all people.

Bennett also mentioned she had visited the festival in 1999, the last time she had been in Inuvik, and one of her staff told the Drum the minister had been particularly excited when the scheduling worked out for her to be able to return.

"It's been great having her here today," said Horstead.

"We get to show off what all our artists can do."

Part of the aim of the festival is to allow artists to interact with each other, as well as visitors and potential buyers.

Horstead was particularly pleased to see a painter taking part in a carving workshop, an example of an artist trying a different medium.

She said how lovely it was to see everyone show up with gifts and food and greetings for each other as the event kicked off.

In the first two days of the festival, Horstead said they had sold more than 125 10-day passes, and more than 60 day passes. The first number in particular, she said, was encouraging, because it indicated many people want to attend and come back several times over the course of the festival.

They even had people trying to get in to the gallery area before it opened July 15, sneaking in the open garage door at the back of the curling club and resisting Horstead's efforts to move them along until everything was ready.

All was indeed in order for the grand opening, something Horstead credits to the army of volunteers who make the festival happen.

"I was surprised, but I shouldn't be, by the generosity of the volunteers and pretty much anyone involved," she said.

"It's actually fun for them too. There are great things to do, great people to talk to, and just a really good time."

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