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Youth Workshop: Songwriting with Lucie Idlout (Iqaluit, NU)

Sunday, July 13 - 2:00PM 

Award-winning Inuit singer/songwriter Lucie Idlout will talk about songwriting; where she gets her inspiration, the background of her songs and what it is like being a role model to Northern youth.

FREE WORKSHOP

Traditional Ulu Knife Making with George Roberts (Whitehorse, YK)

Sunday, July 13 - 1:00PM

Thursday, July 17 - 1:00PM - SOLD OUT

 The ulu is a type of knife with a semi-circular blade used by Northern peoples to prepare hides, cut fish and carry out numerous other tasks.  You will hand-make a practical 5-inch ulu of Eastern Arctic design and be able to take it home with you.  This is a highly functional workshop in tool-making.

Workshop $35                   Materials $20

The Art of Linoleum Cutting with Jane Carr (Treadwell, NY)

Monday, July 14 - 1:00PM

Linoleum is a pliable floor covering made from solidified linseed oil – and is not just for walking on!  Linoleum makes an excellent media to create a cut piece of art for printing/stamping purposes.  Using linoleum and small carving tools, you will be able to cut your own piece of art using one of several pre-designed images – or draw your own.  After cutting your image, use a brayer and ink to transfer your cut onto paper.  Leave with your linocut and print.

Workshop $35

Creating a Felted Bag with Carolyn Hunter (Inuvik, NT)

Monday, July 14 - 1:00PM

Felting is an ancient craft used for centuries, processing wool and other fibres into a finished cloth.  You will learn the traditional method of feltmaking to create a small felted bag.  The workshop  covers all the basic techniques to create a flat felt as well as the resist method for 3D felting.  You will leave with your own small felted bag.

Workshop $35                   Materials $20

Netsilikmeot Style Throat Singing with Mary Ittunga and Bessie Uquqtuq (Taloyoak, NU)

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18    10:00AM

The Inuit have used the traditional art of throat-singing for over 4000 years to entertain, tell stories and help carry on the culture of Inuit life from generation to generation.  In this workshop, you will be taught some of the secrets to using the undulations of your throat and lungs to create a number of melodious sounds, which, when combined with a partners alternating rhythm, create a sound and song like no other.

Workshop $35

Sewing Traditional Seal Skin Headbands with Mary Ittunga and Bessie Uquqtuq (Taloyoak, NU)

Monday, July 14 - Friday, July 18    1:00PM 

The seal skin headband has traditionally been used for thousands of years by the Inuit as a costume piece for throat singers.   In this workshop, you will learn to sew your own traditional headband using seal skin and the significance behind the practice.

Workshop $35                   Materials $25

Playing with Polymers with Myrna Button (Inuvik, NT)

2-Day Workshop - Tuesday, July 15 & Thursday, July 17 - 1:00PM 

Decorate a bud vase with an acrylic polymer sheet that you will make in this workshop.  The process will take 48 hours to dry – so be sure to plan a 2-day turnaround at the Festival if making your own acrylic sheets.  Only have time for one day?  Don’t worry, we will also have some pre-made sheets available for you to have fun with in a one-day session!  You will leave with a gorgeous and colourful vase.

Workshop $35                   Materials $15

Introduction to Soapstone Carving with John Sabourin (Fort Simpson, NT)

ALL DAY WORKSHOP - Tuesday, July 15 - 10:00AM

Carving in stone can be a very relaxing and rewarding experience.  A traditional method of art from the North, carving is an expressive (and impressive) way of telling the stories and showing the way of life of the Northern Aboriginal peoples in Canada.  At the end of this three-session workshop, you will have a North American wildlife carving that you will be proud of.

Workshop $50                   Materials $50

Making First Nation Mooseskin Moccasins for Newborns with Lena White (Whitehorse, YK)

Tuesday, July 15 - 1:00PM

Friday, July 18 - 1:00PM

Moccasins are traditional footwear made of skins and leathers made by First Nations peoples.  In this workshop, you will be able to learn the step-by-step process, using traditional techniques and patterns to create a pair of moccasins for a newborn child.  You will use ‘off-the-land’ materials including mooseskin, beaver fur and sinew.  You will leave with a simple, yet elegant pair of traditionally made newborn moccasins.

Workshop $35                   Materials $25

Fabric Basket Making with Shona Barbour (Inuvik, NT)

Tuesday, July 15 - 4:30PM 

Participants will be introduced to the basics of fabric basket making, including; review of materials, shaping, beginning/finishing tips, and embellishment. Everyone will complete a small round basket to take home with them.

Workshop $35                   Materials $15

Layering Acrylic Glazes with Jennifer Walden (Yellowknife)

2-Day Workshop - Tuesday, July 15 - 4:30PM and Thursday, July 17 - 4:30PM

Participants will learn how to layer acrylic glazes to create rich and deep colours and use acrylic gels and mediums to create a highly textured painting. Allow for two days for this workshop as there is a necessary dry time for acrylic gels before the glazing process can begin.  Participants will leave the workshop with their own painting on stretched canvas.

Workshop $35                Materials $25

Introduction to Landscape Watercolour Painting with Barry McEvoy (Inuvik, NT)

Wednesday, July 16 - 1:00PM 

A beginner’s workshop in watercolour painting.  You will learn about paper, paint, taping, physical properties of paper and paint, basic composition, happy accidents and a variety of painting techniques.  You will create a number of small paintings which will focus on northern landscapes.  Keep an open mind and a willingness to take risks associated with the creative process and leave with your own small watercolour painting(s).

Workshop $35

Stained Glass Suncatchers with Amy Tessaro (Whitehorse, YK)

Wednesday, July 16 - 1:00PM 

The art of stained glass comes to life with this hands-on workshop.  You will learn how stained glass art is made; cut, grind, foil and solder glass for your individual project; and be able to leave with your own stained glass suncatcher made up of 5-7 pieces.

Workshop $35                   Materials $25

Making Porcupine Quill Earrings with Caroline Blechert (Yellowknife)                                          

Wednesday, July 16 - 4:30PM 

With the use of traditional materials, such as quills, caribou hide and beads, you will learn how to make porcupine quill earrings.  At the end of the workshop, each person will have learned the techniques and will have created their own pair of traditional material earrings with a distinctive northern bent.

Workshop $35                Materials $5

Painting Fluid Acrylic Landscapes with Wendy Whitemore (Whitehorse)                                                                

Wednesday, July 16 - 4:30PM

Learn how to handle and explore the fluid acrylic medium on canvas board.  Participants will, using photographs as examples, learn how to paint landscapes using contemporary pigments.  Technique, material use and tone management will be examined and each participant will leave with a great self-composed landscape painting.

Needle Felting with Megan Snelgrove (Inuvik, NT)

Thursday, July 17 - 1:00PM

Learn the basics of flat needle felting using a felted wood base, felting needles, roving and yarn.  You should bring in a photograph (or wing it!) to help create a model for your piece of art.  You will leave with your creative creation and a smile on your face.

Workshop $35                   Materials $20

Japanese Calligraphy with Kazuko Kizawa (Japan)

Thursday, July 17 - 1:00PM 

Learn the intricacies of Japanese writing – the symbolism, history and art of the deft strokes of calligraphy.  Leave with a copy of your name penned in Japanese on rice paper.

Workshop $35

Fabric Postcards with Shona Barbour (Inuvik, NT)

Thursday, July 17 - 4:30PM 

Participants will learn the phenomenon of fabric postcard making, including; design, finishing, embellishments and shipping! Everyone will leave with 3-5 fabric postcards to mail off to friends and relatives throughout the world… straight from the Great Northern Arts Festival!

Workshop $35                   Materials $10

The Essentials of Portrait Drawing with Cathy Henderson (Ireland)

Friday, July 18 - 1:00PM

Portraits are often seen as a window into a person’s life.  Using pencil and charcoal on paper, you will learn the essentials of portrait drawing, covering the basic rules of figurative proportions, the framework of the face and the importance of achieving the ‘likeness’ of a person.  Leave with your own portrait ready for framing!

Workshop $35

Writing Fiction: Creating Stories Through Setting, Character and Plot with Eleanor Millard (Carcross, YK)

Friday, July 18 - 1:00PM 

Character is the central element of narrative. Plot comes from the action of characters and reaction to character. Plot is not just a description of behaviour. The group will work with characters they develop, giving them dialogue and developing a plot with the character. Each element of fiction will be discussed in general and with handouts, and the group will work with the particular pieces they write. Short readings of published Canadian works will illustrate the elements. If participants submit writing (no more than 10 pages) prior to the workshop, they will be edited and discussed either in the workshop or personally if they wish.

Workshop $35

Children’s Workshop:  Making Felted Jewellery with Carolyn Hunter (Inuvik, NT)

Saturday, July 19 - 1:00PM

Transform colourful wool fibres into beads and flowers using warm soapy water and gentle rubbing.  After this one-hour workshop, children (ages 8 and up) will leave with a beautiful felted bracelet or necklace.

FREE WORKSHOP

Self-Editing for New Writers with Eleanor Millard (Carcross, YK)

Saturday, July 19 - 1:00PM

Character is the central element of narrative. Plot comes from the action of characters and reaction to character. Plot is not just a description of behaviour. The group will work with characters they develop, giving them dialogue and developing a plot with the character. Each element of fiction will be discussed in general and with handouts, and the group will work with the particular pieces they write. Short readings of published Canadian works will illustrate the elements. If participants submit writing (no more than 10 pages) prior to the workshop, they will be edited and discussed either in the workshop or personally if they wish.

This is a self-editing workshop for new writers with several handouts. Proofreading, editing, and revision are some of the most important basic skills for writers. Fiction will be the main focus, but the skills apply for all writing. Samples will be provided, but if participants have writing they would like the group to work on, they should bring at least ten copies for distribution. As time and the interests of the group permit, topics covered will be:  editing and proofreading; resources; editing symbols;  punctuation;  essential grammar; essential syntax; editing for tone, style, diction, organization, form, character, plot, sexist language; writing process; word processing; publishing; contests.

  
Workshop $35

Mural Painting with Diane Boudreau (Yellowknife, NT)

Large murals can add to the flavour of a town, community or home.  Learn how to visualize the ‘big picture’ and to make a statement with those blank spaces.  Leave with a sense of community spirit, enjoyment of art for arts sake and an appreciation of painting ideas onto a large canvas.

FREE WORKSHOP