Fort St John has recently earned the title of the Music Capital of Northern BC. What else can our northern community claim to have? Well, lots of snow and ice for a start, but what has this got to do with art?
Moving from Europe to Fort St. John, thinking “It’s how far North!?” I knew nothing of the art of Ice Carving. What is the attraction of chipping away at a block of ice?
It is not until one has been given the opportunity to see someone chisel with skill and precision the layers of ice to reveal something of beauty that one is left standing in awe at the multi-dimensional sculpture. It is truly spell-binding.
High on Ice is an annual winter festival held every January in Fort St John's Centennial Park. It is at this festival where I got my first glimpse into the world of Ice Sculpting.
This January 14-17, 2010 sixteen professional ice carvers will come to compete from all over the world. Each artist has a different story as to why they love this art form. Many work in other mediums too - potters, painters, sculptors, jewellery designers, and of all things, chefs. Whatever the reason, Fort St John is the place to carve.
Some of us may not feel that we can lay claim to being an ‘artist’, but the festival is about having fun and making the most of what we have a whole lot of - snow and ice. The Community and Family Snow Sculpting Contest is for everyone, while there is an Ice Carving Competition for Intermediate and Amateur levels.
Art is all about creation and sometimes one realizes, as in the case of ice carving, it’s not about longevity or preservation, but about the beauty of impermanence. It is not hard, one just needs to try. And who knows? You might just surprise yourself.
For more information or to register for the Snow Carving Competition and/or the Amateur Ice Carving Competition, please contact the Fort St. John Community Arts Council at 250-787-2781. You may also download a registration form from the city’s website at www.fortstjohn.ca, under Community Programs.
Photo by Sandy Busche
