Deep Freeze 2007
Download the Deep Freeze Poster
Just when you thought the holiday festivities were over, The Sculptors’ Society of Alberta, in partnership with Arts on the Ave and the Avenue Initiative – City of Edmonton brings you Deep Freeze: A Winter Adventure in Byzantium. Mid January marks the start of the New Year on the Julian calendar, providing the perfect excuse for a mid Winter Festival with a Byzantine twist. On January 12th, 2008 between 11 am and 5pm, join us on Alberta Avenue for a day of family activities including hay rides, broom ball and snowshoeing workshops, snow sculpting workshops, indoor art experiences, ancient music, and Ukrainian food.
The centerpiece of the festival features the Sculptors’ Society of Albertas’ “one block challenge” ice sculpture competition. Starting at 11 am, ice sculptors will rev up their chainsaws, hone their chisels and transform blocks of ice into beautiful pieces of art. The top three winners will be announced at 4pm and the display will remain on the Avenue for public viewing throughout the week. Local artists Ritchie Velthius and Stuart Ballah will create an ice sculpture of Byzantine proportions to stand as a backdrop for the sculpture competition.
All activities are free and are scheduled to run throughout the day in and around the Alberta Avenue community hall at 9210-118th Avenue.
Full Schedule ::
The Ice Sculpture Competition:
At 11:00 am, Ritchie Velthuis of the Sculptors’ Association of Alberta will kick off the One Block Challenge ice sculpture competition. Ice sculptors from various disciplines (including professional chefs) will transform blocks of ice into beautiful works of art. At 4:00 pm our judges will announce the top three winners.
The Art Gallery and Sale:
Visual artists and artisans will have their work on display and for sale in the gallery located inside the Alberta Ave Community Hall at 9210-118th Avenue. The gallery opens at 11:00 am.
Music Performances:
12:00 N – 1:00 pm: Thomas Mead plays lute in the Alberta Ave Community Hall
1:30 – 2:30 pm: Singing trio Sweet Musicke will rove throughout the site singing carols.
3:00 – 4:00 pm: Recorder trio Suite Tweet plays in the Alberta Ave Community Hall.
Family Art Experiences:
Paper craft family workshops run throughout the day, including nesting dolls and nesting boxes, paper lanterns, animal puppets and paper mittens.
1:00 – 1:30 pm and 3:00 – 3:30 PM:: Participatory reading of the Ukrainian folktale “The Mitten.” Children can help act out the story with masks.
Outdoor Activities:
Broomball and snowshoeing workshops run from 12:00 N to 4:00 pm and hay rides leave regularly from Alberta Ave Community Hall between 12:00 N and 3:00 PM. Snow sculpture workshops will be held outside throughout the day.
Ukrainian food will be served in the main hall inside Alberta Ave Community League throughout the day. There is a fee for food and drink, all other activities are free.