The Gallery
Houston North Gallery celebrates over 40 years of showing, selling and educating the public on Inuit art and culture. Founded in 1981, the gallery was originally owned and operated by John and Alma Houston, a son and mother team who spent much of their lives in the Arctic before moving south. With Alma’s passing in 1997, the gallery is now directed by John. In 2011, after thirty years operating a bricks-and-mortar gallery, in response to sweeping global changes, John transformed Houston North Gallery into a completely on-line enterprise.
The Houston Family is also celebrating 70-plus years of artistic collaboration with Canadian Inuit, beginning in 1948 when artist James Houston traveled to the Arctic on a drawing adventure. What John’s father had planned as a trip to sketch the Arctic terrain and its inhabitants became a life-changing event. When he realized the Inuit talent for carving, he decided to return to help foster and promote their art, and art became the main form of economic support for Inuit as their nomadic existence came to an end in the 1950s. What started as an experiment is now known internationally as Inuit art.
The Houston Family celebrates 70-plus years of artistic collaboration with Canadian Inuit, beginning in 1948 when artist James Houston traveled to the Arctic on a drawing adventure.
Kinngait / Cape Dorset, John and Sam Houston with ball c. 1958
We hope you enjoy our website where you will find a wide variety of Inuit art from many communities, ranging from small gifts to major masterpieces, and among them, select classics of Nova Scotia folk art. The gallery is also proud to offer services to the collector, including expert appraisals, fine arts restoration, worldwide shipping and sound advice on all matters pertaining to acquiring, shaping, and, when the time comes, consigning, selling or donating a collection.
1991 – John Houston and his mother, the late Alma Houston, at Houston North Gallery, admiring a Bird/Seal sculpture by Tukiki Manumie (1952–2017) of Kinngait / Cape Dorset.
The history and philosophy of Houston North Gallery are informed by Inuit history and philosophy, which have also inspired John to continue the legacy through his filmmaking, writing and directing eight films to date, and through Arctic adventure travel, guiding thirty years with Adventure Canada. Whether through art, film or travel, John is committed to shining a spotlight on the genius and the welcoming hearts of the Inuit among whom he had the honour and the pleasure of growing up.
Photo Below: 2017 – Master sculptor Mattiusi Iyaituk (1950 – ) of Ivujivik, Nunavik with “Flying Shaman,” created for the filming of “Atautsikut / Leaving None Behind,” with the film’s director John Houston. “Flying Shaman” has been acquired by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) and will be exhibited with the webisode, “A Shaman Helping a Hunter In Need of Food,” which documents the creation of the sculpture, in English and French language versions.