Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Event Returns for Fourth Year

CONTACT:
Gary Stoppelman, Dubuque Museum of Art, 563.557.1851, gstoppelman@dbqart.org
Jenni Petersen-Brant, City of Dubuque, 563.690.6059, jbrant@cityofdubuque.org 
 
Jan. 15, 2021 -- 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 2021 Winter Arts Snow Sculpting Competition in Washington Park, 700 Locust St, from Wednesday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 13.

The snow sculpting event will feature professional teams from Dubuque and a student team representing the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

Teams will begin carving on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and will have until noon on Saturday, Feb. 13, to complete their sculptures, each carved from a six-feet square by eight-feet high block of manufactured snow. 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.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, the traditional Winter Arts’ Saturday afternoon family-event will shift to safer, socially distanced and home-based opportunities in which the public can participate. Online voting methods will be offered so that the public can vote for their favorite sculpture for a People’s Choice Award. In advance of and throughout the week of sculpting, at-home winter-inspired activities and interviews with the sculptors will be offered through Facebook and YouTube.

Drive-by viewing of the sculptures is encouraged. Washington Park will remain open to foot traffic; masks are required and social distancing should be adhered to by those viewing the sculptures on foot.

Volunteers are needed on Monday, Feb. 8, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to prepare the blocks of snow for the sculptors. Those interested in more information on volunteering should contact Kay Schroeder, Marketing & Engagement Manager for the Dubuque Museum of Art, at 563.599.9486 or kschroeder@dbqart.org.

The event is sponsored by Barton Wealth Management, LLC and supported through in-kind contributions from Sundown Mountain, JaMar Pattern, Inc., and McCoy Trucking. The event is sanctioned by WinterFun, Inc.

For additional information and access to online engagement activities, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/winterarts or contact the Dubuque Museum of Art at 563.557.1851 with questions.

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