Yellowknife Heritage Centre Taking Applications for New Art Pieces

Always looking to share and preserve Northern history, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is taking applications for artwork to be displayed in their Mezzanine Gallery.

Mike Mitchell, the Assistant Director at the Heritage Centre, shared some details on the kind of art that they are looking to display.

“We’re looking for art by people from the NWT, and we’re looking for art that represents the North in unique and innovative ways. We’re looking for stuff that tells Northerners and tourists who we are in sort of challenging ways. In ways that are a bit different or offer some unique insights into who we are.”

Mitchell adds that the art is being selected by the Art Selection Committee. This group is comprised of Heritage Centre employees, as well as members of the Yellowknife community and beyond.

As it is placed along the upper walkway of the Heritage Centre, the Mezzanine Gallery primarily holds two-dimensional works such as photographs and paintings. However, other pieces of art such as sculptures or pottery will also be considered, so long as it aligns with what the Centre is looking for.

The Mezzanine is also looking to display work from artists who have already made something of a name for themselves, and who already have a developed body of work.

When asked if the Heritage Centre looks for any specific values expressed by the art, Mitchell said that they like to be surprised.

“We want to leave it open enough so that when people apply, that we can be surprised or not necessarily predict what comes up or what is proposed by applying artists. What I can say is that we’re looking for a breadth of applicants from across the Northwest Territories.”

Mitchell added that this time around, they’ve added the option for artists to be nominated by their colleagues. He explains that artists can sometimes feel nervous and timid about having their art displayed in this manner, but that the Heritage Centre wants to help them along in their career and to share their art with the community.

Additional information on applying to the Mezzanine Gallery, as well as the application forms themselves, can all be found on the Heritage Centre website.