Wow! Amazing! Fabulous! Totally Awesome! You pick the descriptors. From February 27 to March 25 during the World Ice Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska the best of the best ice-sculptures are made–some you can walk through.
Professional ice-sculptors participate in single block or multiple ice-block competitions and spectators get to watch as the artists carve away at the ice until the art they envision appears. I remember somewhere that Michelangelo would picture in his mind what his masterpiece looked like when it was still uncarved inside the marble. With his carving tools he would help what already existed come out. Or perhaps, I’m making this up. Somehow, though, that idea stuck in my head. Regardless, at the end of the World Ice Championships, beauty is set free from ice blocks that all started out looking the same. Of course, this beauty eventually melts and drips away. Until then, there is plenty of viewing time once the pieces are complete.
While the competitions have set times where you can see the artists at work, there are other activities for all ages to enjoy. Here is the list and schedule of events. Amateur ice-carvers can also try for prizes. The sculputure in the photo carved by Steve Brice, Aaron Costic, Heather Brown and Joan Brice is “Time for Tea.” It was a 3rd place winner in the Realistic catagory. Each of last year’s sculpture is featured with photographs of the various stages of its creation on the World Championships website .