NWT Visual Artists Selected for 2010 Olympics
R(16)238 - Thursday, July 09, 2009
Two artists from each region in the NWT were selected by an independent six person panel with a view to providing a balanced, informative and interactive showcase of the NWTs various genres of traditional art.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod says the participation of NWT artists at the Vancouver Olympics will strengthen national and international awareness of NWT art, highlighting traditional arts and fine crafts, and will serve to promote the NWT as a preferred destination to live, invest and of course visit.
“I’m confident that these individuals will play a proud, distinctive and successful part in promoting our region, its artistic traditions and rich cultures to the world,” he said.
The ten artists chosen are:
South Slave:
Brandy Wilson, photography, Fort Smith
Cecile Deneyoua, traditional arts/tufting, Hay River
Inuvik:
Mary Okheena, printmaking, Uluhaktok
Mary Ann Taylor, carving, Tuktoyaktuk
Sahtu:
Janet Grandjambe, traditional arts/beadwork, Fort Good Hope
Lucy Yakelaya, traditional arts/beadwork, Fort Good Hope
North Slave:
Jennifer Walden, painting, Yellowknife
Jamie Look, jewellery, Yellowknife
Dehcho:
Karen Cumberland, birchbark basketry, Fort Liard
John Sabourin, carving/painting, Fort Simpson
Support for tourism and the production of traditional arts and crafts is a primary component of the GNWT’s work to maximize economic opportunities for NWT residents through the development and diversification of sustainable local economies.
In support of this sector, the GNWT maintains an NWT Arts logo this is promoted widely and aligned with all products produced by NWT artists - allowing consumers, world-wide, to easily identify them as created and produced in the NWT.
Approximately 50 artists responded to a call for submissions from the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
“The number of gifted talented and qualified applicants that were considered is a testament to the depth of talent that exists in the Northwest Territories art sector”, Minister McLeod noted.
The 14 performing artists are being confirmed. The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment will be announcing the performing artists shortly.
For more information contact:
Drew Williams
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier/Cabinet
Government of the Northwest Territories
Phone: (867) 669-2304
Backgrounder
NWT Visual Artists Selected for 2010 Olympics
1. How were applications solicited?
A call for submissions was advertised across the entire NWT to ensure all NWT artists were made aware of this opportunity.
In addition, several posters and email notifications were sent out by ITI regional offices and various arts organizations to advise of this opportunity and to encourage artists to apply. Notification and the applications were also made available online at NWTArts.com.
Specific attention was given to both the varying art genres present in the NWT as well as the varying regions of the NWT.
2. Who was involved in the artists’ selection process?
Artists were chosen by an independent selection committee made up of 6 individuals from the 5 regions of the NWT. The members of the committee were individuals who are known and respected throughout the Northern arts community for their commitment and contribution to arts in the Northwest Territories.
Committee members were:
- Ms. Laurie Young - South Slave Regional Representative
- Ms. Lynn Feasey - North Slave Regional Representative,
- Ms. Peggy Pouw – Sahtu Regional Representative,
- Mr. Michael Blyth - Dehcho Regional Representative,
- Mr. Tony Devlin - Inuvik Regional Representative and IRC Inuvialuit Representative,
- Mr. Sonny McDonald – Long-time Aboriginal artist and Chair of NWT Arts Council.
3. Who chose the selection committee?
Each of the ITI Regional offices selected members from within their region who they felt would best represent their Artists and art genres of the region on this Committee.
4. What were the criteria for artists’ selection based on?
Applicants from all backgrounds and artistic genres were considered.
The size and nature of the NWT delegation was influenced by the needs of Arctic House, budget and availability of housing in the greater Vancouver Area during Olympic time. It was determined that a maximum of 10 artists could be financially provided for within the Visual Arts Contingency to represent Northern arts and fine crafts during the two weeks of the Vancouver Olympics.
To ensure equality and maximum Artists involvement, it was identified that two groups of artists would have the opportunity of participating at events within Arctic House, five artists Week 1, and five different artists Week 2, therefore allowing two artists from each Region to participate at the Games. In addition to the artists selected, a 2nd and 3rd choice was made in the event that a 1st choice is unable to participate. A total of 30 artists were identified.
The Selection Committee was also given a mandate to ensure that selected artists met a minimum of three of the following six traditional NWT art genres during their selection process to ensure NWT cultural and traditional arts are well represented during Northern Weekend. The genres they were mandated to choose from were:
- Beadwork
- Birch bark Basketry/quillwork
- Carving
- Tufting
- Printmaking
- Painting
In addition to this, the Selection Committee also had to identify those artists that were willing to participate in and have demonstrated experience in the following three areas:
1. showcasing,
2. retailing, and
3. demonstrations/workshops
