Northwest Territories Artists at TOAF64
About NWT Arts Program
The NWT Arts Program is a marketing initiative that supports artists of the Northwest Territories (NWT) to participate in the creative economy. NWT Arts aims to foster a positive environment for artists to generate an income from their creative work through business development workshops, marketing programs and services, and increasing consumer awareness to the unique and skillful pieces of work that are handmade in the NWT. TOAF64 is excited to feature one NWT artist at the in-person Fair, and three NWT artists presenting their work exclusively online. Read more about these artists and the story of their work below.
Participating Artists
John Sabourin
John Sabourin was born in Liidlii Kue, Northwest Territories. He became interested in painting in 1989 and carving in 1995, but it was not until his graduation from the Victoria College of Art, Victoria, British Columbia in 1999 that he decided to devote himself full-time to art.
John’s carvings explore the complex relationship between humans and nature. He embraces the possibilities for reimagining motifs from the Decho Dene stories and legends he heard in his youth in stone. John is believes that stone can carry stories into the future and the stone itself offers new opportunities for making meaning. He enjoys playing with what appears like paradox, that a stone can create movement. The possibility for transformation is one of the themes that intrigues him the most. He believes that both art and the natural world can bring release from suffering and difficulty.
John has sold carvings to private collectors in Canada and the United States, and is especially proud to have one in the Canadian Embassy in the United Kingdom! John has been honoured with many awards, over the years, including the Hnatyshyn Foundation Indigenous Art Award.
Delia Cepoi
Delia felt close to the artistic world since a very early age. She holds a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning and her career spans over three decades and two continents.
Parallel with the professional world she was always in a continuous quest exploring anything and everything that involves design.
More than ten years ago, Delia started to create jewelry for family and friends. Since then, Delia created and sold over 2,500 pieces of jewelry around the globe.
Drawing her inspiration from all textures, colours and materials, Delia creates daring, statement jewelry. Her contemporary style is made for the confident, unconventional woman who wants to be noticed by making a sensational impact in today’s society.
Karen Novak
Karen Novak was born in Edmonton, lived in Vancouver, and came up to Yellowknife as a touring band. Following work opportunities with her band, she locked her feet into the ice and has now been living here for 15 years. An artist in every sense of the word, this singer, writer and professional performer also creates a little magic on canvas with her favorite paints. Karen’s current bestsellers are small northern lights paintings on canvas, with added glow-in-the-dark paint. Karen sells her artwork internationally through her Facebook page: Karen Novak Art. In 2016, Karen attended the Great Northern Art Festival in Inuvik and was pleasantly surprised to win the People Choice Award.
Robyn Scott
Robyn Scott is a Yellowknife artist, educator, and community arts organizer. She creates original artwork featuring representational subjects combined with abstract backgrounds, using vivid colours and textures to capture the rugged beauty of life in Northern Canada. Her mixed media paintings often incorporate natural materials such as moss, lichen, sand, and ashes, inviting viewers to connect more deeply with northern landscapes and wildlife through tactile engagement.
Her work has been exhibited across the North and recognized for its emotional resonance and layered depth. Robyn’s art is available as original paintings, prints, and art merchandise. For inquiries, please contact [email protected].
