Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts 80th Anniversary Celebration

The Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts, formed in 1946, is one of the oldest arts and crafts guilds in Canada. The Guild was founded by Ruth Stanton as a branch of the Canadian Handicrafts Guild (now La Guilde), which encouraged, retained, revived, and developed Handicrafts and Art Industries throughout the country. Ruth Stanton created the Guild to bring those same values to the North. The Guild has remained true to this mission, preserving and stimulating handicraft work in Yellowknife. As a volunteer-driven charitable organization, the Guild is a facility for artists and amateurs alike to share and gain knowledge, and market their work.

The Guild offers year-round programming that includes course instruction, exhibitions, and specialized workshops. Our classes welcome beginners while also offering advanced skill development opportunities. In the past year, the Guild offered 21 mixed-media classes spanning 12 different disciplines, including basketry, silversmithing, stained glass, weaving, felting, papermaking, book binding, soap making, and more. The Guild also offered 22 pottery classes (including 5 children and teen classes), 5 advanced pottery workshops, 8 one-time sessions, and 24 studio orientation and volunteer training workshops. At this time, the Guild proudly counts 338 members. 

In 2026, the Guild will celebrate its 80th anniversary: eight decades of promoting arts in the North. To mark this milestone, the Guild envisions a dynamic lineup of programming, including a special themed mixed-media and pottery exhibition, open houses, interactive pottery “throw down” and mixed-media challenges, visiting artist workshops, live demonstrations, and potentially children's activities. Open houses and live demonstrations will offer the public an opportunity to visit the Guild, learn about our work, and ask questions in an accessible and welcoming setting. We plan to host the special exhibition at a venue in Yellowknife, with a thoughtful setup, including refreshments and installation support. Visiting artist workshops would offer unique and advanced skill development opportunities for members. These sessions would increase our artist’s capacity by equipping members with new techniques they can continue to share long after the workshops conclude. Continuing to nurture creativity and skill-sharing, the Guild is committed to keeping Yellowknife’s arts and crafts community vibrant for generations to come.

Artists, craftspeople, and members of the public will benefit from increased Guild programming and special events. Yellowknife has limited access to arts and crafts instruction or a dedicated studio space to practice these skills. The Guild plays a vital role in filling this gap by offering affordable, locally delivered courses and workshops in a variety of disciplines. In addition, it provides a studio space where members can create, access specialized equipment, and store their tools and projects. For many Yellowknifers, the Guild is the only place to explore and develop their creative skills without needing to travel outside the territory.

By keeping classes inclusive, affordable, and open to all skill levels, the Guild offers community programming that strengthens social bonds, enriches cultural life, and ensures that creative practice remains accessible to everyone in the North. Our members come together not only to learn new techniques but also to build friendships and a sense of belonging.

The Guild’s 80th anniversary programming will offer even more opportunities for community engagement and celebration. These special events provide local artists with meaningful goals to work toward, such as preparing for a themed exhibition, leading a public demonstration, or sharing their practice through workshops. This kind of programming fosters artistic growth, collaboration, and renewed enthusiasm within our membership. As for the broader public, the anniversary activities hope to draw non-members out to special programming and events. Whether attending an opening night at an exhibition, participating in new hands-on activities, or simply enjoying locally made work, residents will have new ways to connect with the arts and each other.