Colorado's Cool Carving Competition Commences

The Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships are held in Breckenridge, Colorado every year. The first internal competition in the town was in 1991 so this year mark's the town's 21st competition.

The competition allows only hand tools to touch the 10x10x12 blocks of snow (yes, that's feet) that weigh in at 20 tons. The competition starts today with 5 person teams coming from Russia, China, Japan, Morocco, Belize, Finland, France, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Great Britain, Spain, Bulgaria and Canada and of course, the United States. This year 8 countries are represented by the 15 teams with the US boasting 4 different teams all competing for medals and ribbons--but no cash. Sculptors do it for the fun of it and love to have you come enjoy the process and the results.

The teams have five days (65 hours total) to create their masterpieces. After that a panel of artist judges will find a favorite on the basis of theme, style and technique. At the awards ceremony on Sunday (at 3:30pm), the sculptors will also learn which team has been selected as People's Choice, Kids' Choice and Artists' Choice. People vote with $1 donations, with the money going to help support the event.

Some years the works are melting by the time the weekend comes, but this year it looks like the temperatures will be cool enough to preserve the work. Mother Nature permitting, the sculptures will remain on display until the evening of Sunday Feb. 6.

Organizers suggest visitors come before then and watch the pieces evolve--which is a lot of fun. It is hard to see what they are doing at first, but then suddenly the work reveals itself. Very cool...no pun intended. Friday night Jan 28 ought to be a really fun night since it is frequently an "all nighter" for the artists as they put on the finishing touches before they judging on Saturday the 29th which begins at 10:00am.

Many of the sculptors who participate in snow sculpting also work in other materials other times of the year. Loveland sculptor Jack Kreutzer is a stone sculptor and one of the founders of the Sculpture in the Park show every summer (this summer will be the 28th annual event.)

Learn more about the snow sculpting competition including the best parking spots and some photos from past events. The venue is at the Riverwalk area (see map) and there are shuttles from other parts of town.

Check out more photos, information and even videos of past events.

Seiferts Sculpt Steel and Land

Ed and Barb Seifert are former neighbors of mine...they also happen to be landscape designers and sculptors residing in northern Colorado.

Funny thing is when we were neighbors neither of us was actively working in sculpture.

I run into them at the Loveland Sculpture Invitational...and it is always great to see their work and catch up on what they are doing and how much their kids have grown. It just doesn't seem possible that it has been that many years, but when I learn where the kids are these days it makes me realize that my gray hairs are not premature!

Each of the pieces the artistic duo creates is unique. They often combine steel construction with water, whether free standing or a pond, and glass or stone...the natural and the man-made coexisting in harmony.

One of their pieces, "River Chimes" is an example of this harmony. The work is installed here in Loveland, at the Medical Center of the Rockies and features stone and steel in the form of posts and pipes.

Ed and Barb are extremely talented, as well as wonderful folks. Visit their site to see their landscape design, the nursery and of course, their sculpture. You can even arrange an appointment to see their private sculpture garden...but do call ahead! 303 772-1888

2009 Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships

The quaint village of Breckenridge, Colorado hosts a fantastic sculptural event every year, the International Snow Sculpture Championships--hosted by Budweiser, the event is fun for the entire family with fantastic art created by masters from around the world.

Pieces range from whimsical and interactive, fantasy, traditional and contemporary.

The even began on Jan 20 this year and runs through February 1. The artists began carving the ice blocks on Tuesday the 20th at 11am and the carving ended today at 10 am when the judging commences. Awards are presented on Sunday at 3pm

Weather permitting, the sculptures remain standing through Feb. 1. Some years the sun is so strong (one of the great things about skiing in Colorado is our beautiful clear skies!) that the sculptures don't make it through to the end of the celebration, so go early if you can!

Downtown Denver Arts Festival

The 11th Annual Downtown Denver Arts Festival will be held May 22-25, 2009 (Memorial Day Weekend).

The deadline to apply is Feb. 17, 2009.

This festival showcases the work of Colorado artists exclusively. Approximately 125 artists of various media exhibit at this outdoor show and over 150,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Go to the Downtown Denver Arts Festival website to learn more about the organization or to get an application.

Sculpture Show Goes Green

Loveland is a big sculpture town. We have sculptures and sculptors all over town. It is really great to be a part of a place with such an appreciation for sculpture. The world's two largest outdoor sculpture exhibitions both take place in Loveland, and this year they went "green".

These exhibitions take place in August, typically on the hottest weekend of the year. There are of course food and beverage vendors at the shows and smart people are drinking water all day to stay cool and hydrated.

For the first time, it was actually possible to recycle your water bottles at the show!According to Bruce Philbrick, Loveland Solid Waste Division superintendent, attendees recycled almost 3/4 of the waste from these two shows and the Art in the Park craft show. That kept about 19,000 pounds of waste out of the landfill.

Next year perhaps the food and beverage vendors will use recyclable containers for their goods, thereby reducing the landfill contribution even further.

I say congratulations to Philbrick and his organization. By having high-profile events like these demonstrate the importance and ease of recycling we can make our world a better place...and maybe, just maybe, by taking up less land and fewer resources for trash there will be more room for art!

Sculpture Invitational Opens Tomorrow

Almost 300 artists will be participating in this show. It is estimated that over 4000 sculptures will be on display!

Tomorrow (Friday) is your chance to go for only $3 since the show closes early. The Patron's party (special ticket is required) is in the evening.

About $800,000 worth of sculpture sold last year. Artists pay a fee to be in the show. Those proceeds are donated to local art programs and also toward donating sculptures to the city of Loveland.

Most of the artists come from the US, but last year I met sculptors from Africa and Europe as well.

Click on the title and you'll go to the Loveland Sculpture Group's website about the show for more details.

Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show & Sale

This is the 17th year of the Invitational. It is across the street from the Sculpture in the Park (the "senior" show). Another awesome show to see lots of great sculpture.

Location: Loveland High School
Dates/Times: Friday, Aug 8, 10am-3pm (discounted rate of only $3 for Friday)
Sat, Aug. 9, 9:30 am- 6pm, $5
Sun, Aug 10, 9:30am-4:30, $5

It will be hot and humid under the tents, so wear your coolest outfit. Bring water, and money to buy some more--you'll want it! Keep hydrated so you can enjoy the show. And take lots of breaks. There are shade tents with chairs, so take advantage. You'll be glad you did.

25th Annual Sculpture in the Park

Sculpture in the Park is only a week away! I drove by the venue today and the workers are busily getting things prepared.

You don't want to miss this show!

Location: Benson Sculpture Garden
Dates & Times: Sat, Aug 9, 9:30am-6pm, $5
Sun, Aug 10, 9:30am-4pm, $5

Advice from a seasoned visitor: where plenty of sunscreen, drink lots of water, carry a fan! And talk to the sculptors and enjoy!