On the evening of October 6th at 7:00pm, the Dawson City Arts Society (DCAS) held an open house in the Odd Fellows Hall campus in Dawson City to celebrate its impressive accomplishments since its inception in 1998. On behalf of the organization, President Greg Hakonson said, "We've worked hard and a lot of people have contributed to our success. This event and the launch of the jigsaw is a great way to say thanks."

Originally conceived by DCAS founding members as a symbol to represent milestone achievements, the 12 foot by 8 foot jigsaw puzzle consists of 400 pieces that, when filled in, will reveal a giant mystery picture. Pieces have been distributed regionally, nationally and internationally. Approximately half have been completed to date.

In the words of puzzle project coordinator, Sharon Edmunds, "Each piece is itself an amazing individual work of art and, yes, they all do fit together but I am sworn to secrecy about the final picture." Techniques and mediums include painting, carving, bronze, sculpture and photography. Subjects vary from current politics, such as Dawson's proposed bridge across the Yukon River, to post-modern abstract. During the event, invited guests and artists-in-attendance placed sixty pieces to reflect past and present organizational and programming successes.

In 1999, DCAS established its operating arm, the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture (KIAC) to develop and implement a broad range of arts education, creation and presentation programs with local, regional and international outreach. KIAC is now home to the Odd Gallery, the Macaulay Artist Residency, the annual Dawson City International Short Film Festival, the annual Yukon Riverside Arts Festival, Arts for Employment and Youth Art Enrichment, among many other courses, workshops and special events.

An additional highlight of the night was the official ceremonial signing of an Agreement of Cooperation between the Dawson City Arts Society, Yukon College and Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation, committing to development of a School of Visual Arts, in Dawson City, with accredited and transferable post secondary foundation year programming.

DCAS Executive Director, Gary Parker, described the art school initiative as "our most ambitious and innovative yet—a visionary step into the exciting future of made-in-Yukon education." The school will be located in the old liquor store building in the centre of Dawson and is expected to open its doors in September 2006. Major renovations are in progress and the building was open for public tours on October 6th.

Special thanks to Opus readers who have already taken part in the puzzle project. To those who still have a puzzle piece, please send it in ASAP. Anyone else who is interested would be welcome to contact the KIAC office by emailing dawsonarts@yknet.ca or by phoning 867-993-5005, or contacting Sharon Edmunds at bs@northwestel.net More information about KIAC is available at www.kiac.org

Special feature by guest contributors Gary Parker & Sharon Edmunds