The work of an emerging artist from Behchokö will be enjoyed by Northwest Territories residents over the next year, as they use this year’s recently-issued Northwestel directory for the N.W.T.

The winning artwork, The Untouched, is an acrylic painting on canvas by Robbie Craig of Behchokö. It depicts a hidden cove nestled deep within rocks and evergreens, with the vivid autumn colours of the foreground in striking contrast to the shadowy green-hued backdrop of trees and water. “This painting is influenced by my experience and interpretation of the changing seasons in the North,” said Craig. “The name of the piece expresses how I feel about so many places in this beautiful territory. So much of it is untouched.”

Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Robbie spent a year living and attending teachers college in New Zealand, before moving to the North in 2006. He spent a year teaching in Wekweèti, where he was encouraged by his wife to begin sketching landscapes and northern animals. He later moved to Behchokö, where he currently teaches Physical Education at Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School.

“I feel honoured and humbled to have won this competition,” said Craig. “I am still so new to painting and I feel overwhelmed to have had my work chosen for the directory cover.” Robbie is inspired by the beauty of the North and expresses his admiration for his new home in his artwork. Painting landscapes is a recent area of focus for Robbie and he has developed his own unique landscape style. 

“We are delighted to feature such a fine piece of artwork on our NWT cover this year,” said Mark Walker, Northwestel Vice President, Business Solutions. “Northwestel is proud to offer the cover of our three directories as a showcase for northern artists. There is such an incredible amount of talent in the North and by including a unique northern work of art on each of our directory covers, we can bring art into the homes and offices of everyone across our operating area.”

Each year, Northwestel invites artists from all across the North to submit their work to be considered for use on the covers of its three directories in the NWT, Nunavut and Northern British Columbia/Yukon. The company is already inviting artists to make submissions to its competition for the 2012-2013 directory covers. The deadline for entries is September 16^th of this year. For more information, go to www.nwtel.ca, and then click on In The Community and Directory Cover Art.

In 2010, Northwestel contributed more than $600,000 in cash and in-kind donations to many northern community groups. Throughout its history, Northwestel has played a key role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North. Northwestel is recognized as a key contributor to the well-being of northern communities through its community investment program and the volunteer contributions of its employees.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.

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