Resolute Bay artist’s print bound for Nunavut telephone books

An artist living in Resolute Bay has won the Northwestel directory art competition for Nunavut.

The 2013-14 directory cover for Nunavut will feature a lino block print titled “Swimming Like a Qilalugaq” by Melanie Howell of Resolute Bay.

“I am glad to share art made in Resolute and hope it will be enjoyed,” she said in a March 14 news release.

Howell studied with Gyu Oh at Nunavut Arctic College in Resolute where she learned linoleum cut printmaking with other local artists.

Howell got the inspiration for her print while boating near Resolute Bay.

“This summer we were boating with my son’s godparents. We were near the shore following belugas, seeing the trails the whale made on the water. My son was at the front of the boat, watching them under the water and leaning forward, pretending to be swimming like them,” Howell said.

“Northwestel is thrilled to have Melanie’s piece on our directory cover,” said Bertrand Poisson, Northwestel’s general manager of Nunavut operations. “This is a terrific piece of artwork and we are confident that northerners will be pleased to have in their homes and businesses for the next year.”

Each year, Northwestel invites artists from all across the North to submit their work to be considered for use on the covers of its three directories in the NWT, Nunavut and Northern British Columbia/Yukon.

Melanie Howell, whose artwork will be featured on Northwestel’s 2013-14 telephone book, stands with fellow artists from Resolute Bay, Samson Simeonie and Saroomie Manik. (PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWESTEL)