Activities in Fairbanks - Keeping Busy
ICE ART CHAMPIONSHIPS
We returned home from NC/GA/WA just in time to see the multi-block ice sculptures on display at the ice park. I had errands to run last Friday, so I stopped by the ice park to watch the progress of the artists. It was a beautiful day to wander through the park, and I spent a good amount of time in the multi-block aisles, watching the heavy equipment moving big ice pieces into position. Most of the sculptures were still surrounded by scaffolding, and the artists were hard at work to meet the deadline at 9pm that evening. The awards ceremony was held the following evening.
My friend Lori and I returned to the park later that evening, to see the sculptures under the colored lights. It was a good night for a walk through the park, with a comfortable above-zero temperature. I didn’t even have to wear my hat or gloves (although some of you in the Lower 48 would have thought me nuts).
We ended up staying until the park closed at 10pm, and we both took a lot of photos. Even as we were leaving, the multi-block artists were still hard at work.
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This tall sculpture was quite cute. The bear is holding a beaver, which is cutting down the tree holding the fisherman with the fish:
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FESTIVAL OF NATIVE ARTS
The Festival of Native Arts unites the major Native culture groups of Alaska, as well as foreign groups of the continental United States and countries such as Japan, Russia and Canada. These groups share their rich heritage of their respective cultures, which not only solidifies the Alaska Native identity, but also educates all people as to the nature of cultures different from ours.
This tradition began in 1973, when a group of University of Alaska Fairbanks students and faculty (representing a variety of colleges and departments) met to consider a spring festival focused on the artistic expressions of each Alaska Native culture. In less than three months, perhaps for the first time in Alaska, Native artists, craftspeople and dancers from all major Native culture groups gathered together at UAF to share with each other, the University community and Fairbanks their rich artistic traditions. (Read more at the UAF website)
Lori and I stopped at the Festival for about an hour or so, before going over to the ice park. We arrived just before the Di’Haii Gwich’in Traditional Dancers performed, and stayed for the Young Native Fiddlers. You can read more about the Gwich’in peoples here.
The Young Native Fiddlers, are a group of Alaska native students - predominately Athabaskan - who perform at many cultural and school events throughout the year. I wasn’t surprised to see Jean McDermott on stage with them, leading some of the youngest musicians in tune. Jean’s been teaching fiddle, mandolin and other instruments here in Fairbanks for several years. I met Jean through the Alaska Living Group when we first arrived in AK, and have seen her around town on several occasions. (See Jean’s comment below for more information about the Young Native Fiddlers)
All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend a Friday evening. Thanks for joining me, Lori!
Love the photos of the Ice Art Festival especially the ones taken during the day next to the night pictures.I so love the night ones. Gorgeous. Oh how I miss this place. Again thanks for taking me back.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
It was pretty neat to go to the ice park both that afternoon and later that evening to see the difference in them when the lights are on them. I have a season pass, so I hope to get back there again (in the evening) to see the multi-blocks that weren’t entirely done when I was there last.
I just made another blog entry (after this one) highlighting my very FUN dogsled adventure! I finally went on a dogsled ride!
[Reply]
Comment by Tammy Kauffman — March 13, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
I love the Ice Sculptures this year! Wow it looks like every year it just gets better and better. I miss seeing them this year since we moved so thank you so much for sharing them so I don’t miss out. :)Great pictures of the Native Arts Festival.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
March 14th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
They really are beautiful. I need to go back again and see the multi-blocks before they melt. They weren’t all finished when I was there last. Steve hasn’t gone yet either and he likes to go once at night.
[Reply]
Comment by Abby C. — March 14, 2010 @ 4:29 pm
Hi Susan! Nice picture of me! There are so few around! Just a small correction, I was leading them in fiddle tunes, not song, as we weren’t singing. I teach the intermediate beginner kids with Young Native Fiddlers, a program that gives free fiddle lessons to Native children to keep the fiddling tradition alive. I work closely with Bill Stevenson and Al Grunin and between us we get those kids playing music! Young Native Fiddlers is funded solely by grants and donations.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hi Jean. Good to hear from you. Thanks for commenting. I made the correction (tune vs. song). Duh! I knew that.
Also thanks for the additional information about the program. I’ve edited my blog entry to point out your comment, with the additional information about those closely involved with this marvelous program.
Take care, and keep fiddlin’!
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Jean McDermott — March 15, 2010 @ 7:40 am
The Ice Art looks just as good as last year.
[Reply]
susanstevenson Reply:
March 15th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Not as nice without you and Colt, Kayla.
xoxoxoxxo
[Reply]
Comment by Kayla Melton — March 15, 2010 @ 9:15 am