General Info for Sculptors
Participants: Each team must consist of at least three members, 18 years or older. Teams competing for the Iowa title can consist of up to three-state residents, two-state residents on a team is acceptable. In the event a two-resident team is selected to advance to the National Competition, a third state resident member must be added. Both amateur and professional teams are eligible; sculptors can only participate on one team. There is no fee to submit a proposal. Proof of residency in the form of a photocopy of a driver’s license or state ID will be required upon acceptance of proposals for team members of teams competing for the National Competition.
Snow Sculpting Rules: Teams can begin carving on Thursday, February 10, and will have until noon on Sunday, February 13 to complete their sculpture(s). Sculpting media is limited to snow, ice and water; colorants are not allowed. Sculptural armatures are not permitted. Sculptors must provide their own tools including but not limited to buckets, ladders and scaffolding. Power tools are not permitted.
Snow Blocks: Each team is assigned (by lottery) a cube of manufactured and packed snow, 6’ W x 6’ D x 8’ H in the Washington Park sculpting site in Dubuque, Iowa. Finished pieces may not expand beyond 10’ across. Height is unlimited. The condition of the snow cannot be guaranteed. In cast of significant inclement weather, the competition may be canceled.
Subject Matter: Artists have the liberty of creating representations of realistic or imaginary subject matter. Sculptures will be created and on display in public space so content must be appropriate for all ages. Copyrighted or trademarked imagery and logos are not permitted. Designs must not have been previously executed as a large-scale snow sculpture by the team.
Proposal Review Process
Snow sculpture proposals are reviewed by the Winter Arts planning committee to ensure proposed designs are achievable and suitable for public display. Snow blocks are limited; not all proposals can be accepted.
Awards
- State of Iowa Champion - First place will represent Iowa in US National Snow Sculpting Contest 2023, eligible to Iowa-resident member teams only
- People’s Choice Award – Determined by public voting on Sunday, February 13
Awards have no cash value. Teams are responsible for all costs associated with participation.
Day-of Judging Criteria
Completed snow sculptures will be scored by an onsite 3-member panel on starting at noon on Sunday, February 13. Winners of the State of Iowa Champion title will be determined based on the following criteria:
- CREATIVITY - Originality in composition and design (10 pts)
- TECHNIQUE & CRAFTSMANSHIP - Excellence in execution of proposed design; Effective and interesting use of materials (10 pts)
- OVERALL IMPRESSION - Quality of artistic composition; Audience impact / contemporary relevance (10 pts)
Entry Process
Entry Deadline: Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022 via email at dstowell@dbqart.org or at the following mailing address:
WINTER ARTS – Snow Sculpting Competition
Dubuque Museum of Art
Attn: Danielle Stowell
701 Locust St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
Required Submission Materials: Download and complete the application form found online. Application form must be accompanied by 3-conceptual views (front, side, and rear) of intended work. Conceptual views should convey details and measurements of the proposed sculpture. Hand-drawn ink sketches, computer drafted imagery, or photos of 3D models will be accepted; materials will not be returned. If submitting via email, the application form as a PDF and sculpture renderings as JPG files are preferred.
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