WHITEHORSE – Five Yukon artists travel to Russia this week as part of the ongoing partnership between Yukon and Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District in northern Russia, Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor announced today.
The project Yamal-Northern Territories of Canada: Promoting Aboriginal Arts and Crafts, offers Yukon artists the opportunity to collaborate with their Russian counterparts and to continue the positive cultural exchange that began when five artists from the city of Salekhard in western Siberia visited Yukon in August 2007.
“The exchange program allows artists in both countries to share their knowledge, expertise, and professional skills with each other,” Taylor said. “This cultural exchange not only gives our talented Yukon contingent the opportunity to learn more about arts and crafts in a different region within the circumpolar world, but the networking and friendships forged will contribute to personal and professional growth that is important in developing the visual arts as a sustainable business venture.”
The participating Yukon artists include Lyn Fabio, Joyce Majiski, Calvin Morberg, Harreson Tanner and Bud Young. Each of these artists will conduct workshops in their area of expertise, including textile and “gut” work, print and paper making, wood and bone carving, and ceramic sculpture. Their final product will be a large collaborative work created by Yamal and Yukon artists. The artists were invited by the Yamal artists following their visit to Yukon.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with Siberian master artists descended from an ancient culture in a mysterious and intriguing part of the world,” Tanner said. “To be given the chance to work with emerging young artists on a unique and challenging two week creative project is exhilarating. We will learn from them as they will learn from us.”
As the Canadian partner, Yukon Government works with the District Arts and Crafts Centre in Salekhard to coordinate the project which is meant to build the Centre’s knowledge base and ensure the sustainability of arts and crafts in their region.
Last year, Yamal artists were in Whitehorse as part of the cultural exchange organized through the Canada-Russia Northern Development Partnership Program administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.
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| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications (867) 633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca | Karen Keeley Communications, Tourism and Culture (867) 667-8304 karen.keeley@gov.yk.ca |
Below:
Tourism and Culture Minister Elaine Taylor (centre) with Yukon artists (L-R) Harreson Tanner, Lyn Fabio, Calvin Morberg and Bud Young. Absent is artist Joyce Majiski. The five artists are traveling to Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District in northern Russia on March 19 as part of a northern cultural exchange program.
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