Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Event Returns for Third Year

CONTACT:
David Schmitz, Dubuque Museum of Art, 563.557.1851, dschmitz@dbqart.com 
Jenni Petersen-Brant, City of Dubuque, 563.690.6059, jbrant@cityofdubuque.org 
 
Jan. 8, 2020 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The City of Dubuque Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Dubuque Museum of Art are pleased to partner to present the 2020 Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Festival, a free community event, on Saturday, Feb. 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at Washington Park, 700 Locust St. 

The snow sculpting festival/competition will feature three professional teams: the “Slacktastic Four” of Rockford, Illinois; “Perfect Strangers” of Dubuque, Iowa; and the “Driftless Snow Sculptors” of Dubuque, Iowa. All three teams have previously participated in the competition, with the Slacktastic Four returning to Winter Arts for the first time since 2018.

Three student teams representing two local colleges – Clarke University and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville – will also participate in the competition.

Teams will begin carving on Wednesday, Feb. 5, and will have until noon on Saturday, Feb. 8, to complete their sculptures, each carved from a six-feet square by eight-feet high block of manufactured snow. 

The public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite sculpture for a People’s Choice Award.  A State of Iowa award winner will be selected by a local jury and will advance to the U.S. National Snow and Sculpting Competition in Lake Geneva, Wis.  Both winners will be announced at the event at 3:45 p.m.  

The community snow sculpting portion of the event offers the public an opportunity to sculpt as well, either as a team or individually.  Community teams or individuals of any age interested in creating snow sculptures of their own will have access to a number of designated blocks.  Tools will be provided. Those interested in carving snow should wear clothing appropriate for the weather. 

The Dubuque Museum of Art will offer free admission and tours of the current exhibits during the event. The Glab Family Art Studio will be open with lots of hands-on activities for all ages. 

Hot beverages and food will be available for purchase on site, courtesy of Frosted and Filled and Happy Hibachi.

The event is supported through in-kind contributions from Sundown Mountain, JaMar Pattern, Inc., and McCoy Trucking and is a sanctioned WinterFun, Inc. contest.

For additional information, or questions on event schedule changes, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/winterarts or contact the Dubuque Museum of Art at 563.557.1851. 

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