Correction: A previous version of this story identified one of the artists who participated in the SA国际影视传媒淲ILDSA国际影视传媒� art show as Wiley Rudkevitch. It was actually Wiley Wolfe. SA国际影视传媒 regrets the error.
Robyn Scott was thrilled to hold an art show again once pandemic restrictions were eased.
Along with fellow artists Wiley Wolfe and Carey Bray, she put together SA国际影视传媒淲ILD: A Northern Wildlife Art ShowSA国际影视传媒� in early May.
But the show wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 hosted by an art gallery, or the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Instead, the event was only able to go ahead thanks to the generosity of the Yellowknife Racquet Club.
ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 because, as YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 artists have been saying for years, finding an affordable space to host an art show in the city is a challenge.
SA国际影视传媒淭he ones that were even remotely suitable would be areas like the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, but they donSA国际影视传媒檛 allow art sales,SA国际影视传媒� says Scott. SA国际影视传媒淭he Explorer Hotel, while incredibly beautiful, and great to work with, was well over $1,000.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淪o I was starting to delve deep into things like school gymnasiums and murky bars, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not the ideal situation, of course, for hanging, showing and displaying artwork.SA国际影视传媒�
Scott points to the Yukon Arts Centre in Whitehorse as a shining example of what communities can do to support their artists.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey offer not only shows like youSA国际影视传媒檇 see it at NACC here, but they also have gallery display space, they have room for workshop facilitation,SA国际影视传媒� she says.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 frustrating to me that I feel like weSA国际影视传媒檙e still having the same conversation that ISA国际影视传媒檝e been listening to for a decade,SA国际影视传媒� says Scott. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e been actively creating art for about 10 years. And so ISA国际影视传媒檓 disappointed that ISA国际影视传媒檓 still having this problem and still hearing this conversation with no movement on the part of the government.SA国际影视传媒�
The artist community took another hit last year, when the Northern Images gallery closed its doors and moved entirely online, citing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. Archie Beaverho has been painting for more than five decades, and often serves as a mentor for younger Tlicho artists. He says he used to be able to sell his work quickly to the gallery. Ever since it closed, heSA国际影视传媒檚 mostly been selling his work on social media, but SA国际影视传媒渋tSA国际影视传媒檚 very slow to sell on the internet,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚t seems like you should have a big gallery in Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� he says. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a capital in the North.SA国际影视传媒�
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Although YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 artists have long struggled to find adequate show space, Makerspace may have at least a partial solution. The facility, which held its soft opening on June 3, offers space and tools to entrepreneurs and creatives to develop their skills, including a 1,000-square-foot room for displaying artwork.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e keeping an entire wall blank so artists can display their work,SA国际影视传媒� says Makerspace president Cat McGurk.
Although the facility had its soft opening last week, no date has yet been set for when it will open to the public. However, McGurk says the site has already generated interest from the local artist community, especially as a space to host workshops.
Scott is optimistic about the prospect of displaying her work there, but she says the new facility is only a partial solution.
SA国际影视传媒淭his is run by volunteers, and with the transient nature of the North, what happens when these folks move on? Once again, weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to have another struggling board and a struggling space and have to start over again from scratch SA国际影视传媒� and that leaves me pretty disheartened.SA国际影视传媒�
