Services
Public Speaking
John Houston is frequently called upon to speak publicly on Inuit art and various other topics within his areas of expertise. Notably, John has delivered keynote speeches for:
- Canada’s Land Claims Coalition Conference (LCCA)
- The Regional Aboriginal Recognitions Awards (RARA)
- ideaCity 08 presenter
- The Yale Peabody Museum
- Plymouth State University convocation (PSU)
Most recently, John opened a World Congress (International Co-operative Alliance, in Seoul, Republic of Korea) with a simple story, told from the heart.
Such events with John can be in person (COVID-19 permitting), online, or a hybrid of both. A presentation may be combined with the screening of one of John’s eight award-winning films, which help bring viewers to the core of the subject matter, and linger in the memory of attendees long after the event. Aboard Adventure Canada sailings, John Houston’s storytelling has been a mainstay since 1991!
“Houston held the crowd of children rapt with traditional Inuit tales about blind boys, loons and talking mosquitoes. Part Hemingway, part Shackleton, he described how he learned the stories: He spent long nights in igloos, fostering a love of folk tales.”
Appraisals
John Houston is Owner and Director of Houston North Gallery, established in 1981 with his mother, the late Alma Houston, Inuit art pioneer. Houston North Gallery has specialized in Inuit art for over forty years. John is also an Inuit culturalist, fluent in Inuktitut, with over 5,000 Inuit Facebook friends to consult when rapid access to Arctic artists is required.
John has done many appraisals for private clients and public institutions, both in person and remotely, including:
- Power family collection / Michigan
- Bibler family collection / Montana
- Art Gallery of Ontario / Sarick Collection
- Winnipeg Art Gallery / Ian G. Lindsay Collection
- L’Université de Moncton / Esther & Isadore Fine Collection
- The Canadian Canoe Museum
- The Shelagh and Jon Grant collection
- The Walrus Foundation
- Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
Restorations
Our gallery restorations grew from a feeling gallery owner John Houston would get, each time he saw a damaged work of Inuit art. It was akin to feeling the pain or discomfort of a living being, and wanting that being to be made whole.
Houston North Gallery offers expert restoration services for Inuit sculpture. Show us the damage through digital photos, and we will provide you with an estimate of the time it will take to restore your piece(s) – and the cost.
If you have restoration requirements for Inuit artworks in other media, such as paper or fabric, you may still show us the damage through digital photos, and Houston North Gallery will help you source a solution.