Arviat artisans recently received some desirable material for use in creating carvings. Arviat Mayor Joe Savikataaq Jr. said the hamlet recently lobbied Agnico Eagle for some soapstone for the community’s local carvers. Savikataaq said Arviat carvers don’t have access to soapstone in their area and Agnico Eagle stepped up to supply them with about 113 kilograms (250 pounds) of the valuable stone to help them out so they can do some carving and make some money. He said the soapstone had to transported by plane, which was another significant cost. “So, thank you to Agnico Eagle and Calm Air for flying the soapstone to Arviat,” said Savikataaq. “Our carvers finally had access to soapstone, so that they can create their art with the best stone available. “All our carvers had been using different materials, including granite, which is pretty difficult to create quality pierces with.” Savikataaq said some of Arviat’s carvers are very talented, and their work is very well-known and in high demand if they can find the right places to sell them. He said during the past 10 years or so, carving has been in decline a bit, mainly due to people spending less money and Arviat having less soapstone available to its carvers. “I’m not necessarily seeing anything right now that can help pick up that slack, but you do have to be creative. Maybe it’s time we learned more about how eBay works and approach selling on there as a collective group of carvers. “I think if our Arviat carvers can start to gain attention to their work and gain some footholds in the marketplace, we could see a number of them start to rebound with their sales again.” Savikataaq said it’s always better if the carver can figure out a way to sell directly to the client, as opposed to trying to have their work go through a number of hands. He said he’s seen all ages of Arviat artisans — including veteran carvers and up-and-coming carvers — be successful. “Some carvers do build up a solid clientele as they go along, but that comes with time. “There have been several very renowned carvers who have come out of Arviat who have passed away. That’s a gap that’s not easily filled. “It’s different now than it was before, I guess. Our carvers have to figure out ways to be more creative with their work and get hooked up with some kind of legitimate online marketing company to help them sell their product. “I definitely like supporting people who depend on arts and crafts to get by and make a living, and I hope this new shipment of soapstone helps our carvers do exactly that.”
Arviat carvers get a load of soapstone
