Nunavut women’s council sponsors art competition for territory’s women

One of Nunavut’s young artists: Katherine Enook displays a wall hanging she made to sell at last spring’s Toonik Tyme arts and crafts sale in Iqaluit, as her mother Tanya looks on. (FILE PHOTO)

If you’re a woman in Nunavut with talent for making handcrafted art, you should enter an art competition put on by the Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council.

That’s the invitation from Beth Beattie, interim executive director of the council.

The art competition, which will mark International Women’s Day on March 8, is open to all Nunavut women.

The entries can include handmade dolls no larger than 12 inches tall or handmade wall hangings 15-by-18 inches in size.

There are prizes in each category, with first prizes of $1,000, second prizes are $500, and third prizes of $250.

“This is something so we can reach out to the communities, it should be fun,” Beattie said.

The artwork, which Qulliit will pay to ship to Iqaluit, must arrive in Iqaluit by Feb. 25.

To enter, you can pick up a registration form at local hamlet and economic development offices or ask for a form by calling 1-866-623-0346.

All submitted art works will be put on display in March at Iqaluit’s Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum.

The winners will be announced March 8, International Women’s Day.

Also on display will be private collections of art from women around the world, including Africa.

“It adds a bit of variety,” Beattie said.

Nunavut artists who submit their handcrafted items may also have the option of selling the pieces or having them sent back.