Local artists brought their work in for constructive feedback through the premiere Yellowknife Artists Run Community Centre (YK ARCC) Tough Love Art Critique program, Feb. 16 to 17.

The experience is irreplaceable in Yellowknife, according to Sarah Swan, lead director of YK ARCC.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing offered in the way of ideas or concepts or how to think about your art practice, how to work on and develop your subject matter and your themes, and what your artwork is trying to communicate,SA国际影视传媒� Swan said. SA国际影视传媒淭here is nothing in the way of that offered here.

SA国际影视传媒淚 feel like sometimes that talent and skill goes unnoticed, because there is no art infrastructure in Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� she added.

The overall reaction to the initiative was both SA国际影视传媒減ositive and overwhelming,SA国际影视传媒� according to Swan.

A dozen artists SA国际影视传媒� two nights with six artists each SA国际影视传媒� were in attendance to put their work on display for other artists to assess at the Tree of Peace Friendship Centre.

SA国际影视传媒淲e decided just to keep it small to begin with because that kind of thing can feel very vulnerable when youSA国际影视传媒檙e just starting out, getting artwork critiqued,SA国际影视传媒� said Swan. SA国际影视传媒淲e ended up with a wide variety of media. We had two photographers, we had five painters, a couple of drawers and sketchers, and then we had somebody whoSA国际影视传媒檚 making three-dimensional work.SA国际影视传媒�

Those involved ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e still getting feedback from the participants, but most of the feedback we received so far was really positive,SA国际影视传媒� said Swan. SA国际影视传媒淚 think the artists were nervous, but they were really brave and vulnerable to come and have their work critiqued.SA国际影视传媒�

YK ARCC would now like to see the program run on a bi-monthly basis.

SA国际影视传媒淓veryone wants to do it again,SA国际影视传媒� Swan said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e a volunteer-run organization, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 a matter of time for us. Then, also, we have to secure grant funding. We have to rent the space that weSA国际影视传媒檙e in, that sort of thing.SA国际影视传媒�

The biggest takeaway for Swan is that the program will continue to provide a necessary service in the Yellowknife arts and culture community.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen you, as an artist, learn how others are reading or seeing your work, it only helps you better define your own art and your own practice,SA国际影视传媒� she said.