In the Nunavut community of Cambridge Bay, piles of discarded metal once sat unused in the landfill. Today, those same scraps are being turned into intricate works of art—welded muskoxen, polar stars, even a towering sculpture of Sedna. Behind each creation is a story of transformation, for the metal, but also for the young people who shape it.
The Scrap to Art project began as a last-chance opportunity for youth aged 18 to 30, who are at risk of being sent to jail. The program provides a safe space to channel their energy into producing pieces of art from salvaged scrap metal through welding. Funded in part by $100,000 awarded by the Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2018, the program established a dedicated welding space in the Red Fish Arts Studio, equipped with the tools and mentorship needed to turn discarded materials into art with cultural and community meaning.
Skills that spark opportunity
Participants gain far more than artistic skill. Through hands-on projects, they learn safety procedures, engineering, maths, and mechanics – skills that open pathways to jobs in construction, vehicle repair, and the arts. Graduates have gone on to work in local industry, pursue further education, and even join the studio’s own staff.
To date, the program enjoys the highest attendance rate of any education program in Nunavut, according to the Nunavut Department of Child and Family Services, and every single participant has remained out of jail and incident-free.
With sparks of passion igniting their spirits, they’re crafting more than just metal; they’re forging brighter futures and setting a positive example for youth in Nunavut.” – Red Fish Studios.
Building pride, piece by piece
The art created here now lives in places of honour across the country—from sculptures gifted to the Prime Minister, to permanent installations in the Canadian Navy’s HMCS Max Bernays. Each piece weaves traditional Inuit knowledge into its design, guided by Elders, ensuring that culture and history remain central to the work.
A community hub with national reach
More than 700 barrels of scrap metal have been transformed into public art that now brightens Cambridge Bay, promoting community pride and showing what’s possible when creativity and mentorship meet opportunity. The Red Fish Art Society, formed in 2023, aims to expand this model to other Nunavut communities, offering more youth the chance to turn scrap into something extraordinary—both in the workshop and in their own lives.
