Nature's blue diamond
Megan Otts and Matt Anderson

    Each spring, a non-profit group in Fairbanks, Alaska transforms a picturesque campground near the banks of the Chena River into an icy wonderland. In early February, giant ice slides and fantastic carvings a re erected throughout the park in preparation for the World Ice Art Championships. By the end of the month, dozens of internationally known sculptors and hundreds of ice carving enthusiasts, intrigued passersby and fun-loving families fill the park as the competition gets underway.
    “God gives us a beautiful material to work with,” Ethel Stoneman, 81, said referring to the hundreds of tons of ice blocks cut from local lakes each year for the World Ice Art Championships. “These artists make it into something beautiful.”
The World Ice Art Championship consists of both single and multi-block

    competitions. In the single block, two-person teams are given a block of ice with approximate dimensions of 3’x5’x8’ and an average weight of 7,800 pounds. Artists are given 60 hours to finish their piece and can compete in the realistic or abstract category.
    ice slide In the Multi-Block Classic, teams of two to four persons are given 132 hours and ten blocks of ice measuring approximately 6'x4'x3’ to create their crystal masterpieces. Many teams participate in both competition and often work long hours, some around the clock, to complete their creations.
    The event requires exceptional strength, endurance, and engineering skillas well as mastery of basic ice sculpture techniques and artisticvision. Power tools and scaffoldingcan be used in both competitions, but the use of heavy equipment to reposition the blocks is allowed only in the multi-block competition.
The competition attracts sculptors and admirers from allover the world each year. In 2006, entries in the Park’s visitors log book reflected visitors from 29 countries and 49 states.
    Those looking to enjoy the artists’ work can wander through the galleries of museum-quality sculptures lining the park’s snowy paths.
    “I think it is amazing that they can carve the ice with such intricacy,” said Jeri Maxwell, 51, a manager at the UAF student union.

Nothing lasts forever

Video by Amy Chausse

    In 2007, Idaho sculptor Danny Spangler fashioned a piece he titled, “Share Your Heart,”consisting of two faces, representing halves of a heart coming together. This is the former chef’s 18th year of ice sculpting andhe still gets a kick out of the process.

------------- “I go every year for the slides” ------------

    It’s an incredible talent that the sculptors do,” he said. “It’s amazing to see something being created right before you.”
    When night falls, the sculptures take on new dimensions, strategically lit by multi-colored lights. As beautiful as this is, Stoneman, the park’s chief ticket seller and longtime board treasurer, prefers the light of day.
    “I like the clear blue ice with no lights,” she said. “I think the natural light gives more detail. We’ve come to call the color blue diamond.”
    Though most visitors find the intricate competition sculptures fascinating, many are drawn to the Kids Park, an icy playground that spans fouracres of the park. It comes complete with a variety of slides, ßrides, and sculptures as well as life-size mazes and toys for kids to play with and climb on.
    “I’ve always enjoyed it,” said Sherri Wall, 41, a University of Alaska smalldaneconomics professor, who fondly recalls taking her own children multiple times. “Parents are always looking for something to do with their kids. It’s a great way to have the kids expend energy.”
Contrary to what its name may imply, the Kids Park seems to be a hit with visitors of all ages.
    “I go every year for the slides,” said John Gebhardt,18, a freshman at UAF. “I actually got my tongue stuck to the maze last year.”
Josh Luther, 22, shared his sentiment.
    “I had a lot of fun as a kid,” he said. “It’s a good family experience, and a really unique experience that we have.”