All around campus, four-thousand-pound blocks of ice are being transformed into carvings of bears, warriors, and Eskimos. Vitaly Martinets and Craig Anderson of Ice Alaska have been carving the blocks into ice sculptures over the past several days.

The project, now in its fourth year, is managed by Dr. John Fellerath at the Center for Health and Counseling and Lydia Anderson of the Division of Student Affairs.

Fellerath said the project began when his staff "decided that it would be nice to have ice sculptures on campus." They pooled their money and got in contact with Ice Alaska.

Lydia Anderson came onboard the next year.

"I [had] an ice sculpture for Wood Center's 30th birthday in 2002 and it was then that John told me about his vision."

Since then, Health and Counseling and Student Affairs have expanded from one sculpture during its first year to six this year as well as gaining more sponsors such as Facilities Services, UAF Dining Services, Residence Life, Health Center, Wood Center, Alcan Builders and some private donations.

Fellerath has remained a key player in the project.

"This has been his vision to have ice sculptures on campus," said Craig Anderson. "He truly appreciates the art and hard work behind a carver putting their tools to create."

The first sculpture produced this year is outside of the north entrance of the Gruening Building. The design called for a polar bear leaning against one of the park benches that already sat outside the building. Although this sounds relatively simple, it actually takes a bit more skill than many of the other sculptures.

The bear's leaning arm had to be carved separate from the rest of the bear and attached with what the carvers call "Arctic super-glue"-also known as water.

"[We] knew we wanted some "fun" bears and some "classic" bears," Lydia Anderson said.

The south entrance to the Wood Center will be graced by a bowling bear, which is intended to bring attention to the recently renovated bowling alley, and more ferocious looking polar bear will be located outside of the health center.

The MBS Complex will feature a man and woman in parkas. The MBS sculpture is unique because holes in place of the faces will allow students to pose behind the sculpture for photos.

The Lola Tilly will feature a hunter. A sixth sculpture will be placed next to the UAF entrance, though its design has not yet been determined.

Each sculpture takes approximately ten to twelve hours to carve, according to Craig Anderson. With a sculpture being completed each day, all six should be completed by the end of this week, if not sooner.

If all goes well, Fellerath hopes that this project will expand even more in the future.

"My hope is that we'll get a tradition of ice sculptures… it seems appropriate for UAF."

Comment on this story...