A dancing walrus from Cape Dorset
This dancing walrus by Matthew Oshutsiaq from Cape Dorset was one of the carvings up for sale at Makigiarvik Correctional Centre in Iqaluit on July 12. Oshutisaq is one of many inmates who take part in Makigiarvik’s carving program. The centre holds a craft sale every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. where its inmates’ artwork, along with work from the Nunavut Women’s Correctional Centre, is displayed in a glass case and available for purchase. The artists keep 80 per cent of the profits, while 20 per cent is put back into the program to buy soapstone and other materials. (Photo by Emma Tranter)
20% goes to the program. I’m sure Makigiavik has it’s own funding to purchase soapstone and materials.
Actually, the 20% is funding the program. How? to purchase resources and materials (stone, grinders, files, etc.). The “mates” get the resources for free, the sales fund the continued existance of this program, and 80% of the art sale goes to the mate. Great way for the mates to help support their family back home, if they decide to send the money home.
Are you saying that none of the sales money should go back into the program? Makigiarvik should provide the space, tools, materials, and sales, and the carver should get the entire sales amount? That’s not really a good way for people to learn about how life works outside of the walls.