Doll Exhibition in Nunavut Territories, Arctic Circle, Canada
Jack was invited to teach 17 Inuit Elders in the Nunavut Territories in September of 2007. He has written a feature article for Doll Crafter Magazine reporting his travels and experiences. His trip to the Arctic region of Canada has proven to be one of the highlights of his professional doll-sculpting career.
The students and their dolls shown on this page were all part of the Premier Tarrasikitaaq Arts Society Doll Exhibition of the Nunavut Territory. The Nunavut Territory is the furthest north in Arctic Canada. The Inuit people who attended the Doll Exhibition were thrilled by the visit of Mr. Johnston. Helen AbenReynen, the founder and director of the Society, invited him to be the first polymer clay instructor to ever visit the Inuit tribes of Nunavut Territory. Jack spent six days traveling, teaching and becoming friends with the Elders who took his workshop. The follow photos are of the students and of their one-of-a-kind artdolls. For additional information you may call Jack Johnston at 800-290-9998.
The inukshuk has given way to the GPS as a way of finding the great hunting and fishing and stands as a reminder of the kinship for our neighbors and the sense of direction that we share.
Here the Nunavut elders are warming and kneading the ProSculpt clay.
Beautiful black hair and distinctive facial features are a hallmark of the Inuit people.
The grandson of one of the elders participated throughout the workshop.
"Packing" is a traditional way of carrying and caring for the young.
Costumes were adorned by the elder from Repulse Bay, Baker Lake, Cape Dorset, and Coral Harbour.
Everything was sewn or otherwise made by hand. Handcrafts have been the tradition for a thousand years.
Seated and ice fishing dolls.
Sledding doll.
Women dolls.
A few of the elders joined Mr. Johnston in a farewell photograph.
Jack was so inspired by the friendly Inuit people and the traditions of their elders that he sculpted this doll as a portrait of a Nunavut hunter.