New foundation in Ulukhaktok wants to revitalize arts with dedicated space
The Ulukhaktok Arts Centre overlooking Queens Bay used to be a hub for artists in the small N.W.T. community — a place where they made lithographic prints, carved stones, and stitched together elaborate tapestries.
But not anymore.
Its turquoise exterior is in disrepair, chipped and fading in the Arctic wind. The doors are locked, and its view of the bay shared by no one.
Artists are still creating beautiful work in the community — but the way they do so has changed over time. They work from home and sell to customers using social media or who come off visiting cruise ships.
Emily Kudlak, a seamstress, says it’s a “huge loss” for her community.
“They had a beautiful, beautiful print shop with big beautiful windows facing the ocean where [artists] could work, do their print-making … then on the other side they had knitting machines, sewing space, [a] nice big table where they can do crafting.”
An effort is underway, however, to create a new space for making art and sharing skills with those ready to learn.
Kudlak said the arts centre has big beautiful windows overlooking Queens Bay. Now, that view isn’t shared by anyone. (Liny Lamberink/CBC)
The Ulukhaktok Arts Foundation was incorporated as a society in the N.W.T. on March 23.
Its mission is to provide programming and opportunities to artists in Ulukhaktok that help them grow, teach, and preserve cultural knowledge according to the foundation’s incorporating papers.
“We have so many artists here in the community,” said Pat Klengenberg, the community’s mayor and one of the foundation’s directors. “I thought … if we start an arts foundation here in Ulukhaktok then maybe we’d be able to provide more programming.”
He said providing a dedicated space for arts programming is another one of the foundation’s aims.
The value of a dedicated space
Manoyak Joanne Ogina, who is on the board of the foundation, said arts and crafts have been a big part of Ulukhaktok since the Ulukhaktok Inuit Cooperative was first established back in the early 60s. It started out as an art shop and evolved over time.
“We used to have a dedicated space to bring our crafts and where the ladies would work creating … tapestries, with prints created by the artists, making wall hangings, table clothes, you name it,” she said.
Ogina said not having a dedicated spot to work has put the production of arts and crafts at “almost a standstill.” Establishing a space once again, she said, would enable programming that can pass along skills and knowledge to the young generation and create more jobs.
Empty arts centre building no good, says mayor
The Ulukhaktok Arts Centre building is owned by the Ulukhaktok Inuit Co-op. Though it sits empty, Klengenberg said the space wouldn’t be a good fit.
“It’s really inefficient, it doesn’t hold heat in it well,” he explained.
Klengenberg said another building — the one left vacant when Aurora College shut down its community learning centres last year — would be “really good.”
He said he’s waiting for the territorial government to approve the acquisition of the building. He said the foundation, the hamlet, the local community corporation and the school want to share it for community activities.
A spokesperson for the territory’s Department of Education, Culture and Employment confirmed it was talking to the hamlet and other partners about a potential lease agreement for the space.
Ogina hopes the foundation will keep Ulukhaktok’s history of art alive.
“Our elders dedicated their time and energy to start a co-op with arts and crafts. [If] we could carry that on, that would mean so much to honour their memories.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Gjoa Haven heritage centre is preserving Nattilik Inuit history, CBC News
United States: Alaska museum’s latest exhibit gives unique look at pingoes, Alaska Public Media
Greenland: Despite housing shortages, Greenland razes colonial apartment blocks, Blog by Mia Bennett
