World Ice Art Championships
The World Ice Art Championships is an ice sculpting contest in Fairbanks, Alaska put on by Ice Alaska, a non-profit corporation started in 1989. The contest is the largest of its kind in the world and attended by more than 100 sculptors from 30 different countries every year.[1] The contest also draws tens of thousands of spectators; in 2004, 48,000 people from more than 28 countries passed through the park's gates.[2]
History
Ice Alaska put on its first ice art championship in 1991; it featured 16 sculpting teams and lasted a week. Today the event lasts a month and features 75 teams from around the world.[3] Through 2011, the ice festival took place on a 20-acre (8.1 ha) site across the Chena River from Pioneer Park, which the organizers leased from the Alaska Railroad.[4] In 2012 the event moved to a new location, the George Horner Ice Art Park.[5] Ice blocks are harvested from an 80-foot-deep pond called O'Grady Pond Too; the ice is so clear it is referred to as "arctic diamond".[6] In addition to sculptures on view, the event features a Kids Park sculpted out of ice, including ice slides, an ice maze, an ice rink, and spinning cups.[7]
Events
The championship is divided into three separate divisions, each of which is divided again into abstract and realistic categories.
Single Block Classic
The Single Block Classic is the first and largest event of the championships. In the event, two-person teams work with the ice from a single ice block measuring 5 feet x 8 feet x 3 feet and weighing more than 7,800 pounds (4 tons) and have two days to complete their sculpture. During this event, heavy machinery may not be used. This event is typically sponsored by ConocoPhillips.
Multi-Block Classic
In the Multi-Block Classic, teams of four members receive twelve blocks of ice measuring 4 feet x 4 feet x 3 feet and have five days to produce their sculpture. The final creations of this event will weigh up to 20 tons and tower over 25 feet in height. During this event, heavy machinery may be used. It is typically sponsored by British Petroleum.
Fairbanks Open
The Fairbanks Open is an unjudged part of the competition, wherein amateur sculptors work alongside world-famous artists.
Winners
| Year | Block | Category | Name | Artists |
| 2010 | Single | Realistic | Blue Ring Octopus |   |
| 2010 | Single | Abstract | Ice Dancing |  |
| 2006 | Single | Realistic | Beach Walker | |
| 2006 | Single | Abstract | Fiddler | |
| 2006 | Multi | Realistic | Balto's Charge | |
| 2006 | Multi | Abstract | Sunrise Over Spring Water | |
| 2005 | Single | Realistic | Leap | |
| 2005 | Single | Abstract | Fire of Love | |
| 2005 | Multi | Realistic | Animal Parade | |
| 2005 | Multi | Abstract | Gateway | |
| 2004 | Single | Realistic | Colorful Duo | |
| 2004 | Single | Abstract | The Dance | |
| 2004 | Multi | Realistic | Dragon Boat |  |
| 2004 | Multi | Abstract | Michelangelo Hi-Tech-The Creation of Ice Man | |
| 2003 | Single | Realistic | Graceful Predator | |
| 2003 | Single | Abstract | White Dance | |
| 2003 | Multi | Realistic | Friend or Foe | |
| 2003 | Multi | Abstract | Seed of Promise |  |
| 2002 | Single | Realistic | King of the Sky |  |
| 2002 | Single | Abstract | Flame in the Wind | |
| 2002 | Multi | Realistic | Leap of Faith | |
| 2002 | Multi | Abstract | Ice Falls | |
| 2001 | Single | Realistic | A Total Lack of Sharing | |
| 2001 | Single | Abstract | Enlightenment | |
| 2001 | Multi | Realistic | Pretenders |  |
| 2001 | Multi | Abstract | The Unison of Love | |
See also
References
- ↑ Sculpture that melts in spring | csmonitor.com
- ↑ Travel Video
- ↑ "Past events". Ice Alaska. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ↑ "Fairbanks' Ice Alaska eyes 2011 lease". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. April 16, 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ↑ "Alaska Railroad helps Fairbanks ice park move to new location". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. June 24, 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ↑ "Harvest". Ice Alaska. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
- ↑ "Ice Park is a draw for Fairbanks families, visitors". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. March 10, 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
External links
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Coordinates: 64°50′51″N 147°48′22″W / 64.84750°N 147.80611°W