Cape Dorset 2014 print collection draws a crowd in Iqaluit

Its -17 C with the windchill, but inside a small red-and-white building along Iqaluits beach, things are heating up.

The former Hudsons Bay building is home to thecitys only museum, theNunattaSunakkutaangitMuseum, and for the next couple of months, the 2014 Cape Dorset print collection and sale.

The sale has a few rules: first, leave your boots at the door. Next, if youre planning to buy a print, grab a ticket, write your name on it, and drop it in the basket. Then, pick up a booklet;inside,lists the prints name and artist.

The sale's final rule was hammered home for couple Alia Bigioand Greg Brown.

This is their first print sale, and they were surprised at how different a print can look in person compared to what's shown online.

It looked nice [online], but you couldnt see the highlights and the details, Bigiosaid, referring to 'Marruliak(Twins)'.

Nearly 200 people cram into thesmall exhibit room to get a close-up look for themselves, making itfeelmore like a crowded house party than an art gallery.

You can be excited for your friends because your friends are all here," Bigio said.

But it is a little awkward when the people right next to you are also your friends, adds Brown. And theyre like, 'Oh, they got the one we wanted.'

This is the eighth print sale for Craig and Cathy Welsh. They have a back-up plan if their top choices go, which is very possible, because getting the print you want completely depends on when your name is drawn from the basket.

The Welshes know how it feels to not getfirst pick. One year, Cathys name was drawn last.

'Waiting is kind of intense'

The crowd starts to settle when the museums curator, BrianLunger, and one of the artists, TimPitsiulak, step up on a small stage in one corner of the room.

Before the sale begins,Lungerpoints out one artists work that is missing from this years collection:KenojuakAshevak. Its the first time her prints are not on display.

Another artist,IteePootoogook, who has two prints on the wall, passed away this year.Lungerleads everyone in a moment of silence.

ThenLungerandPitsiulakstart pulling names from the basket and reading them aloud. That's when things get interesting.

NingeokulukTeevees'Raven withUlu' is the top choice for most and is gone after the first two names are called. The room groans indisappointment.

AliaBigio'sname is called early in the draw and she chooses acopy of 'Diving Fish'.

We like something that speaks to us. Its not necessarily the artist, its not necessarily the size.- Cathy Welsh

Almost immediately after, Bigio's husband Greg Brownis called.

The pressure of trying to pick something else while everyones waiting is kind of intense, Brown said.

It's also good to reevaluate and pick something maybe you wouldnt pick before."

Over the next half an hour, as top choices are picked,more and more people say "pass" when its their turn to choose a print. The crowd starts to thin.

The Welshes didn't get their top two picks, but say they're happy with their third and fourth choices, 'Sated Bear'byPitsiulakand 'Lustrous Char'bySaila.

We like something that speaks to us, Cathy Welsh said. Its not necessarily the artist, its not necessarily the size. Were not buying the investment, were buying the art. Were going to hang it and look at it for years.