A Yellowknife artist's colourful rendition of a popular local haunt is officially one for the books.
Lise Fortin's acrylic painting, titled “Dog Beach,” will grace the cover of Northwestel's 2018-2019 phone book following an unveiling at the Explorer Hotel Thursday evening.
The Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce event, sponsored by Northwestel, saw notable guests including minister of culture Alfred Moses, City counselor Linda Bussey and Northwestel's vice-president of business markets Paul Gillard make an appearance to introduce Fortin – and her winning submission – to a crowd of about 60 guests.
Picking up a brush for the first time six years ago, when an empty nest granted her more time to create, Fortin told Yellowknifer she's inspired by the simple things, like those found in nature – and in Yellowknife.
"I have a dog and I have to walk her and she likes to be free so there's an off leash area close to the airport, a lot of us call it Dog Beach. It's a beautiful area," Fortin said.
Fortin's submission topped 40 plus offerings from other Yellowknife artists – but it wasn't her first attempt.
"It's the second time. I like to challenge myself a little bit to grow as an artist and I thought why not?," she said. "There's so many beautiful artists in Yellowknife so I'm very surprised."
Thursday's unveiling marked the latest in a long line of Northwestel Directory Cover Art Competitions, with Northwestel featuring the work of Northern artists on its directory for more than 30 years.
"Northwestel is a good Northern corporate citizen. It takes investing back into the community very seriously and a portion of that is very much targeted towards the arts," said Northwestel's Paul Gillard. "The contest has spawned a lot of Northern artist's careers. It's a good first project and what we've found is that it's really just making a long term contribution to the arts scene North of 60."
Northwestel's Paul Gillard, left, unveils the 2018-2019 directory cover with winning artist Lise Fortin and city counselor Linda Bussey Thursday at the Explorer Hotel. The painting, called "Dog Beach," draws inspiration from the artist's favourite off leash area in the city.
March 1, 2018.
Northwestel takes submissions from all the Northern territories. Judges from the arts community then make recommendations for the winning cover. Each winner is rewarded $3,000.
Last year, a piece from Inuvik painter Anick Deschenes Jenks titled "Tuk Ice Road" secured the cover.
For Fortin, nature isn't the only creativity cue.
"My grandchildren, biggest inspiration."
New phone books will be available in the coming weeks.