The World Ice Art Championships is an ice sculpting contest in Fairbanks, Alaska produced 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 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
A multi-block sculpture.
Ice Alaska put on its first ice art championship in 1991; it featured 16 sculpting teams and lasted a week. Today the event begins mid February and, weather permitting, lasts until the end of March, featuring the art and skill of as many as 75 teams from around the world.[3]
Locations: 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] In 2017, after a fire destroyed their main lodge, the Ice Alaska organization restructured to protect the future of the event. Then, in 2018 they reached an agreement with the Tanana Valley State Fair Association and moved the World Ice Art Championships, along with the associated Ice Alaska Ice Park, to the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds.
Ice Alaska has negotiated with a new property owner to harvest ice blocks and transport them to the new venue; 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
Mexican sculptor Abel Ramírez Águilar with his work at the eventA single block sculpture
The championship is divided into three professional competitions, a youth event, and an amateur exhibition. abstract and realistic categories.
Single Block Classic
The Single Block Classic is open to 30 contestants. (One Artist and One Block of Ice)
Each Artist is provided one block of Ice 6’x4’x3’ (roughly 1,720 lbs) and 48 hours to create a sculpture.
The Double Block Classic is open to 25 Teams (2 Artists and 2 Blocks of Ice)
Each Team is provided two blocks of Ice 6’x4’x3’ (roughly 3,440 lbs) and 72 hours to create a sculpture.
Multi-Block Classic
The Multi-Block Classic is open to 15 Teams (4 Artists with 9 Blocks of Ice)
Each Team is provided 9 blocks of ice 6’x4’x3’ (roughly 15,490 lbs) and 132 hours to create a sculpture.
Youth Classic
This competition is held during the week of School Spring Break, usually the second week of March. Is open to ~5 to 15 teams. A Team is defined as 1 or 2 Carvers. Available to students in grades 8th thru 12th 2’ x 3’ x 2-3’ block of ice. The Youth Carvers have an opportunity to be mentored by Master Carvers who volunteer with the event to encourage the next generation of artisans.
Winners
Year
Block
Category
Name
Artists
2010
Single
Realistic
Blue Ring Octopus
Junichi Nakamura Heather Brice
2010
Single
Abstract
Ice Dancing
Vitaliy Lednev Sergey Loginov
2006
Single
Realistic
Beach Walker
Steve Brice Junichi Nakamura
2006
Single
Abstract
Fiddler
Vladimir Zhikhartsev Vitaliy Lednev
2006
Multi
Realistic
Balto's Charge
Steve Berkshire Mark Johnson Stanley Kolonko Carl Eady
2006
Multi
Abstract
Sunrise Over Spring Water
Sergei Zaplatin Sergey Tselebrovskiy Grigoriy Ponomarev Larry Moen
2005
Single
Realistic
Leap
Steve Brice Aaron Costic
2005
Single
Abstract
Fire of Love
Vitaliy Lednev Vladimir Zhikhartsev
2005
Multi
Realistic
Animal Parade
Steve Brice Heather Brown Tajana Raukar Mario Amegee
2005
Multi
Abstract
Gateway
Aaron Costic Gregory Butauski Chad Hartson Jeff Meyers
