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North Slave Region
This centrally located region encompasses both boreal and tundra terrain, stretching between the Territory’s’ two biggest lakes. This is home to the Tłı̨chǫ, Akaitcho and Yellowknives Dene, along with a diverse group of residents from across the country and the globe, that together weave a rich cultural tapestry in the territory’s capital city.
This land is a bountiful resource for local harvesters and artists who use raw materials from the land. Traditional arts and fine crafts preserve the region’s unique style and pass traditional knowledge onto future generations. Clothing and accessories are made from locally tanned moose or caribou hides and adorned with intricate designs of beadwork or quillwork. The centuries-old tradition of drum making is a vital part of this area’s history and is being preserved through workshops and documentary films.
The capital city of Yellowknife is an eclectic, multi-cultural mix of artists and art forms. Storytellers, authors and musicians preserve oral history from the region in literary and performance arts. Contemporary artists draw inspiration from the land to create inspiring works of art. Filmmakers and photographers capture and share the spirit of living in the NWT with the world. Yellowknife’s vibrant arts scene continues to grow in diversity and frequency, with arts events happening weekly, if not nightly.
Use our online tool to learn Where to Buy NWT Art in the North Slave Region.
Or download printable, translated documents (PDFs):
Where to Buy NWT Art in Yellowknife: English, French (français), German (Deutsch), Japanese (日本語)
Events
Yellowknife
April
Date: April 5th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Deux personnes qui n’en sont pas vraiment, dans un café qui n'en est éventuellement pas un, autour d’une histoire qui n’existe pas forcément, le tout dans une pièce de théâtre qui n’en est peut être pas une et d’un auteur qui…Enfin bref, quand la logique et l’imagination s'effritent, que reste-t-il ? Un monde étrange et absurde aux frontières de la folie.
Une pièce de théâtre en français qui immerge le spectateur ailleurs. Une mise en scène qui laisse place à un aspect visuel et sonore recherché.
Le tout dans un décor qui pourrait à lui seul raconter toute l'histoire....
Date: April 8th, 2019 to May 20th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
This is a process-based series intended/designed for Studio Potter-Handbuilders. We will collaborate on various topics, including the slab roller, the extruder, glazes and custom tools. Please bring questions, ideas and ambition. Level 2 is a prerequisite.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A MULTI WEEK COURSE RUNNNG APRIL 8-MAY 20 INCLUSIVE on Mondays.
Il s’agit d’une série de séances axée sur les procédés et conçue pour les artisans de poterie. Nous emploierons divers outils et techniques, dont le rouleau à galettage, l’extrudeuse, la glaçure et les outils personnalisés....
Date: April 10th, 2019 to May 15th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
Learn the basics of wheel thrown pottery; wedging, centering, throwing simple shapes, trimming, firing and glazing. Cost includes clay.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A MULTI WEEK COURSE running April 10 - May 15 inclusive on Wednesdays.
Instructor: Kelly Moore
Apprenez les rudiments de la poterie au tour : battage, centrage, tournassage de formes simples, coupe, cuisson et glaçure. Le coût inclut l’argile.
VEUILLEZ NOTER QUE CE COURS SE DÉROULERA SUR PLUSIEURS SEMAINES, LES MERCREDIS, du 10 avril au 15 mai inclusivement.
Formatrice : Kelly ...
Date: April 10th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: TBD
Participants will use a variety of natural and man-made or recycled materials to create a unique wall hanging.
To register, or for more information call 873-6902 or email nwtbaskets@theedge.ca.
Date: April 11th, 2019 to April 12th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
Featuring: The Ursa Miners
When: 7:30 pm, April 12 & 13, 2019
Where: Top Knight Pub
The Ursa Miners choir is joining forces with Al Bee on drums, Pat Braden on bass guitar, Anne-Marie Guédon on cello and Jeremy Findlay (as himself) to present "Hits of the 80's" at the Top Knight Pub on April 12 & 13. We’re planning a deadly concert to wrap things up this season!
In the first half of the show, the Ursa Miners will help Findlay make a mixed tape featuring all the best tunes from the 880’s to the 1880’s! After intermission, we’ll be donning our...
Date: April 12th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
THE COMIC STRIPPERS A male stripper parody and improv comedy show
A SHOW FOR ALL GENDERS… 19+ ONLY
WARNING! No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity.
Date: April 13th, 2019 to April 14th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
You will learn basic embroidery stitches and put them together to create a wall hanging of lines, letters and flowers. Design is provided (in the interest of time) but some free expression is possible. You will embroider onto repurposed natural fibre. Create your own monogram or that of a loved one – may also be great in a baby’s room.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A 2 DAY WEEKEND COURSE ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
Bring your Lunch. Materials included.
Instructor: Janet Dean
Vous apprendrez les points de broderie de base et les assemblerez pour créer une...
Date: April 13th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Yellowknife Public Library
Yellowknife artist Maddy Tetreault hosts a painting workshop for young artists aged 9-12.
There are 10 spots available for this free event for youth aged 9-12. No supplies or experience necessary! Held in the meeting of the Yellowknife Public Library. Light refreshments will be provided.
Participants will go home with their original artwork!
Sign up using the link: www.eventbrite.ca/e/creation-space-paint-the-aurora-with-maddy-tetreault......
Date: April 16th, 2019 to May 21st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
Want an excuse to go through the family closets and discard clothing, but would like an actual use for it? Primitive Rug Hooking, using recycled clothing as our ancestors did, is the solution. Join Cathie for six relaxing Tuesday evenings to learn this easy traditional technique. The final product will be a small circular rug. Design your own rug with assistance from Cathie. You will have the use of a Guild hoop and rug hook for the use of the workshop. Some homework may be needed to complete the project.
Participants are expected to collect most of their own materials, plus access...
Date: April 17th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Centre du patrimoine septentrional Prince-de-Galles | Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
ENGLISH WILL FOLLOW
L’instant d’une soirée, huit conteurs se succéderont sur scène pour vous présenter une histoire sonore autour du thème l’art de l'artefact, que ce soit un objet, une langue, un manuscrit… avec comme principal outil, le son. Pendant une heure, ils et elles se raconteront à travers diverses sonorités et images adaptées à leur présentation.
Cabaret Taïga : l’art de l’artefact débutera à 18 h, mais on vous attend dès 17 h 15 pour un cocktail dînatoire, histoire de se mettre dans l’ambiance.
D’autres surprises à venir!
Joignez-vous à nous pour cet...
Date: April 25th, 2019 to May 4th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Ptarmigan Ptheatrics is pleased to bring Mamma Mia! to the Yellowknife stage.
The music of ABBA helps tell the hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.
Featuring the talents of 47 performers including Karen Novak, Brie O’Keefe, Carolyn Smith, Nathan Knox, Brian Madore, Ray Bethke, Amelie Duval, Julianne Kaiser, Jill...
Date: April 25th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Director Sarah Carr-Locke will talk about the importance of having a territorial museum, our approach to telling stories about the NWT, and why museums aren’t boring.
Date: April 26th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Top Knight
Please join us for a wonderful night of live competitive painting at Top Knight!
Watch the paint fly before your eyes and the creative process unfold during 3 fast-paced rounds and help vote to determine the Champion!
All artwork created will also be available via silent auction.
Be a part of the fun as a spectator, or participate as one of the featured artists by applying online at artbattle.com/join!
*This event is 19+
*Follow us on Instagram @ArtBattleYellowknife!
TICKETS -
...
Date: April 28th, 2019 to May 26th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: TBD
Learn how to make beautiful egg art using traditional and modern methods for applying wax and dye. This course is designed to give participant enough information to start creating pysanky on their own. You will learn basic egg division, wax technique using an electric kistka, and how to apply colours. Each participant will leave with a pysanky of their own creation. All supplies and refreshments included.
Classes are held in Yellowknife 1-4pm Fees:
April 28 Adults (19 and over) $95
May 19...
Date: April 28th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Classics on Stage Yellowknife presents a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Café.
Time: 3 - 4pm
Dates: 24 February, 17 March, 31 March, 28 April, 26 May, 30 June
What: Classical Music
Who: Performed by COSY members and students of COSY members.
L’organisme Classics on Stage Yellowknife (COSY) présente une série de concerts gratuits les dimanches après-midi au café du Centre du patrimoine septentrional Prince-de-Galles.
Heure : 15 h à 16 h
Dates :...
May
Date: May 6th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: WAMP / Western Arctic Moving Pictures
Hot Docs Doc Ignite labs are offered in communities across Canada each year. Offering direct market intelligence and skills training, each lab provides filmmakers with professional development curriculums on such topics as audience engagement, marketing and distribution to help successfully launch their films in the marketplace. With a focus on reaching underserved regions and communities within Canada, Doc Ignite labs aim to provide new opportunities to filmmakers across all regions of Canada and continue to help them launch sustainable documentary careers. Supported by Netflix.
...
Date: May 10th, 2019 to May 21st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Somba 'Ke Park
Get ready for Dene Nahjo's 4th Annual Urban Hide Camp!
When: May 10th - 21st open daily at 10:00am - 6:00pm (closed Sundays)
Where: Somba K'e Civic Plaza (near City Hall)
Opening ceremonies begin at 12:00 p.m. on May 10th.
Everyone is invited to witness or participate in hide tanning at our free camp. There will be Elders and experienced hide tanners available to mentor learners and share stories.
Date: May 11th, 2019 to May 12th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
You will create a simple woven wall tapestry just like all those pictures on Pinterest. You will learn 5 weaving techniques and be able to design your own piece. We will be working with 100% wool yarn and roving and other natural fibres for accents. If you have a specific colour scheme in mind, please indicate at time of registration and we will do our best to accommodate.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A WEEKEND SESSION OF BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY May 11 and 12. YOU CAN NOT ATTEND ONLY ONE SESSION.
All materials included. Bring your lunch.
Instructor: Janet Dean
...
Date: May 11th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Library Meeting Room
The Science of the Sacred Book Launch
In The Science of the Sacred: Bridging Global Indigenous Medicine Systems and Modern Scientific Principles, naturopathic doctor and First Nations member Nicole Redvers, N.D., explores the ways in which modern medical science is finally able to support traditional healing systems that have been practiced by Indigenous and traditional cultures for centuries.
Join the author to celebrate the launch of this exciting new book!
Sunday, May 11 | 3pm - 4pm
Library Meeting Room
Lancement du livre...
Date: May 11th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: École St. Patrick High School
Save the date for our annual Spring Sale. Preview will be Friday night and sale runs Saturday from 10-2pm. Great chance to take home some of the wonderful work of our Guild artisans.
Retenez la date de notre vente printanière annuelle. Les œuvres seront exposées pour le public le vendredi soir et la vente se déroulera le lendemain samedi de 10 h à 14 h. C’est une excellente occasion de se procurer de merveilleuses œuvres de nos artisans de la guilde.
Date: May 11th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Grammy award winner Paul McCandless and three jazz virtuosos cross stylistic boundaries, blending diverse musical traditions into one engaging new sonic experience
Date: May 16th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
The Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts is holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 16 at 7 pm. Join them and volunteer to serve on the Board or learn more about their activities. The meeting will take place upstairs in the mixed media studio.
La guilde des arts et métiers de Yellowknife tiendra son assemblée générale annuelle le 16 mai à 19 h. Assistez-y et offrez-vous pour siéger à titre d’administrateur, ou profitez de l’occasion pour en apprendre davantage sur ses activités. L’assemblée aura lieu dans l’atelier à l’étage supérieur de l’immeuble...
Date: May 18th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Winner of 2016 Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal Manulife Competition.
Date: May 23rd, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Affectionately known as Baby Brian, he performs rich guitar based compositions, reflecting the folk and country balladry which filled his infant ears. Hailing from Yellowknife, NT, by way of Bridgeport, ON, his songs marry tradition with a resolve to will impossibilities into reality, all in a honey dipped croonin’ drawl, for the sake of the song. His forthcoming debut record, Talk with the Honky Tonk Psychiatrist, brings the listener into his imaginative universe of generosity, hootenanny-heroism, and that which surpasses the ordinary and expected.
Date: May 24th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Rose could be described as a creative omnivore. She takes on artistic challenges that combine words, music, imagery, heart and laughter. Puppetry has been her passion since 2012. Through it she concocts imaginary worlds that help audiences explore topics that might otherwise be difficult to face. Time Slips is Rose’s latest work. It is a story about dementia, but it is much more. It examines the selectiveness of our own memories and the power of story-telling – with humour, compassion and love.
Date: May 25th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
An integral part of local blues-rock band Priscilla’s Revenge. Norm Glowach has accessed pictures and stories of his family’s history which he credits as the driving force behind his persona Johnny Cole and the musical “Meet Me at the Rex”. Drums are his home instrument, but he writes songs on guitar. He has created seven original albums and more than 300 compositions. He has performed for the Queen, at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics – an event he will never forget.
Date: May 26th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Classics on Stage Yellowknife presents a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Café.
Time: 3 - 4pm
Dates: 24 February, 17 March, 31 March, 28 April, 26 May, 30 June
What: Classical Music
Who: Performed by COSY members and students of COSY members.
Date: May 30th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Climate change is dramatically impacting coastal regions of the western Arctic. Mike will speak about how he engages with communities to decide what actions can be taken.
Date: May 30th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Javaroma
Join NorthWords at Javaroma for this all ages open mic event featuring Billy-Ray Belcourt and the music of Matt Fournier.
Date: May 31st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Northern Arts and Cultural Centre
Mix and mingle with guest authors during the pre-show café hour in the lobby of the NACC. The Fireweed Children’s Choir will entrain as you browse the book sale or participate in the silent auction. Entrance to the café hour is free and all are welcome. Proceeds from the book sale and silent auction support NorthWords activities.
Friday, May 31, 7pm to 8pm
Tickets are now on sale for the Gala show featuring musical guests the Andrea Bettger Band and Tanya Roach Throat Singers.
Tickets can be found at naccnt.ca/events/local-events/NorthWords-Gala
June
Date: June 1st, 2019 to June 2nd, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: YK Guild of Arts and Crafts
In this class, you will needle felt a realistic image of your pet/favourite animal and embellish with embroidery and 3d felt flowers. Don’t worry about your drawing skills, you will trace or the instructor can help you transfer your image. Bring a reference photo of the animal you wish to immortalize.
All materials included. Bring your lunch.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A WEEKEND SESSION ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY June 1 and 2, YOU MUST ATTEND BOTH SESSIONS TO COMPLETE YOUR PROJECT.
Instructor: Janet Dean
Durant ce cours, vous allez aiguilleter une image...
Date: June 1st, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Elks Lodge
Bring that special someone out for an evening of titillating open mic readings accompanied by jazz musicians Andrew Jossa and Sean Robson. Tickets now on sale at the Yellowknife Book Cellar.
Saturday, June 1 at the Elks Lodge. Doors open at 7:30 pm
Date: June 30th, 2019
Community: Yellowknife
Location: Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre
Classics on Stage Yellowknife presents a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre Café.
Time: 3 - 4pm
Dates: 24 February, 17 March, 31 March, 28 April, 26 May, 30 June
What: Classical Music
Who: Performed by COSY members and students of COSY members.
