The Innuit Gallery in nearby London, Ontario, featuring exceptional pieces of Inuit and First Nations art, is preparing to host its Cape Dorset Prints 2012 — Annual Print Collection exhibit. A preview will take place beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, with the official opening scheduled for 7 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19. The exhibit will continue through Nov. 25.
According to the gallery’s website, www.innuitgallery.com, “The United Nations has declared 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives, with the theme ‘Co-operative enterprises build a better world.’ In Canada’s north, the ‘craft shop’ constructed in Cape Dorset in 1956 led to a pan-Arctic co-operative development program that now supports 31 community co-operatives across Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
“The West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in Cape Dorset was the first to be incorporated under the federal program in 1959. Wholly owned by the Inuit residents of the community, the co-operative model made possible their active participation in all aspects of community development. In Cape Dorset, one of the most important elements of community life is this unique art form that has sustained both the economy and culture of the people and captured the imagination of the world.
“We are fortunate indeed to have Kenojuak Ashevak represented once again in the annual print collection. She is Canada’s preeminent Inuit artist and her contribution to the Kinngait Studios has been extraordinary.
“In honor of this International Year of Co-operatives, this annual print collection is dedicated to the members, boards of directors, management and staff of the Cooperative — both past and present — who have supported the graphic arts studios over these past 53 years with purpose and conviction. There is no question that this enterprise at Cape Dorset has helped to build a better and more beautiful world.”
The Innuit Gallery is located at 201 Queens Ave., London. For more information, please call (519) 672-7770, email art@innuitgallery.com or visit www.innuitgallery.com. And, for helpful information on planning a quick getaway to London, visit www.londontourism.ca.
