Zoe Ohokannoak has left an indelible mark on her hometown of Cambridge Bay.

She and friend Sam Sibera spent about a month working on a mural adorning the side of the community pool in July and August. It depicts a polar bear lying on the ice next to open water.

They had a crew of youth helpers who assisted in applying the base coat.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was pretty fun. ISA国际影视传媒檓 glad they enjoyed it,SA国际影视传媒� Ohokannoak says.

It wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 her first mural. She painted a suicide-awareness theme at Kiilinik High School, where she graduated in 2017.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was really glad to work on that one,SA国际影视传媒� she says.

In early September, Ohokannoak returned to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, where sheSA国际影视传媒檚 enrolled in the second year of a four-year expanded media program. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 able to engage in painting, digital arts, metalworking, sculpting, drawing and film and photography.

SA国际影视传媒淚 like a broad range,SA国际影视传媒� she says, adding that digital arts is her favourite medium, although her most beloved creation is an acrylic painting that she calls Mort Romantique. It features a glass skull resting among flowers, candles and a patterned silk scarf.

Ohokannoak has also designed tattoos for others. She has an interest in being a tattoo artist someday. That would include traditional Inuit tattoos as sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been inspired by the Inuit Tattoo Revitalization Project.

She also wants to lead community arts programs that involve youth, similar to the mural project this past summer.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat felt really good, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 hoping I can do that more in the future.SA国际影视传媒�

Ohokannoak been fascinated by the arts for as long as she can remember.

SA国际影视传媒淢y mom still has my potato drawings from kindergarten,SA国际影视传媒� she says, laughing. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e always had an interest in it. When I started focusing (on arts) as a career was probably when I was still pretty young. ISA国际影视传媒檓 still coming up with ideas of what exactly I want to do.SA国际影视传媒�

A high school arts teacher encouraged her to move in that direction as well.

SA国际影视传媒淗e was a huge advocate in making sure I get any supplies that would help me,SA国际影视传媒� she recalls. SA国际影视传媒淗e would give me advice, which ISA国际影视传媒檓 very thankful for.SA国际影视传媒�

After graduating high school, Ohokannoak devoted a year to working and raising money to help cover her port-secondary expenses.

Choosing to attend the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design put her in Halifax, where she has relatives. It made the transition easier, being thousands of kilometres from Cambridge Bay.

While in elementary school she lived in Edmonton, where her mother attended university, so sheSA国际影视传媒檚 accustomed to larger cities.

SA国际影视传媒淚t wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 that big of a transition for me,SA国际影视传媒� she says of the move to the East Coast. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of things are more convenient (in a large city) but still gotta miss home.SA国际影视传媒�