Art in Snow and Ice

Big snow sculptures, on display at Sawyer Park in Sturgeon Bay, were created by championship-level carvers with résumés that include the Olympics in Torino, Italy, U.S. Nationals and Wisconsin State Championships. The effort was coordinated by local carver Jeff Olson of Egg Harbor.

While it might not be the most readily available, year-round medium – nor the most permanent finished product – snow and ice carvers tend to live by the motto: it’s always cold somewhere.

Recently, it was cold enough for a group of professional snow carvers to converge on Sawyer Park in Sturgeon Bay, as well as novice to advanced ice carvers to take to the streets throughout the city’s business districts, for Fire & Ice Weekend.

The carvers began working on their creations at 9 am on Saturday, February 13 and by 2 pm that day the sculptures were finished. At 3 pm, the winners were announced and the city was filled with art, at least until the temperatures warm up…

Ice Carving Winners

Advanced Category

1st Place: Dave Bartels, Eagle, Bridgeport Resort

2nd Place: Adrian Murre, Olympic Flame, Wilkins & Olander

3rd Place: Max Martin, Broken Hearted Carving, Associated Bank

Intermediate Category

1st Place: Laura Heider, Otter, Bliss

2nd Place: Gina Diliberti, Abstract Carving, Sonny’s

3rd Place: Bruce & Pat Webster, Cat & Bird, Sherry’s Hallmark

Beginner Category

1st Place: Kelli Torpey & Frank Sterling, Scuba Diver, On Deck Clothing

2nd Place: Kim Chick, Lighthouse, Alley Katz Boutique

People’s Choice Award

Walter Ash, Griffin, Artists Guild

Runners Up: Bears, Madison Avenue; Stichman’s Carving, Sturgeon Bay Florist

High School Snow Carving Competition

1st Place: The Wolf by Kaitlyn Newman & Carla Brauer from Sevastopol

2nd Place: Robot Man by Brandon Isaacson & Jessica Shackleford from Southern Door

3rd Place (tie): Hand by Anna Harr of Sevastopol; Horse Head by Konstance Krueger and Taylor Carstens from Southern Door

For more information contact the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center at 920.743.6246 or by visiting http://www.SturgeonBay.net.