Saturday, January 8, 2011

People's Choice Winner Announced

The winning ice carving is The Mermaid (pictured left) created by Emily Lechtenberg.  This fun sculpture is sponsored by Inside-Out and Avenue Gallery and Frame and is on display in front of 402 Main Street.

Downtown Racine merchants will host the fourth annual Downtown Racine Carves its Niche, a winter ice carving festival.  The event will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011.  Fifteen ice blocks will be carved on the sidewalks of 6th Street, Main Street and north of the Main St. Bridge along the river. 

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,  professional ice carvers will transform 300 pound blocks of ice into beautiful sculptures using only hand tools and their imagination.  While the carvers work, they are happy to explain their techniques and have fun with their fans guessing what each creation will become. 

"This is a new element we've added to Downtown Racine Carves its Niche," said Mary Osterman, organizer of the event. "It will throttle up the fun and add friendly competition between the carvers."  

This year, the carvers will compete for a People's Choice Award.  Everyone is invited to vote for their favorite ice sculpture.  Ballots will be available in each sponsor's business. 

Listed below is the location of each ice sculpture along with the name of the artist and sponsor:

• Sarah Lephardt & Scott Johnson, 209 Dodge St. sponsored by Chartroom Charlie's
• Art Rice & Patti Cottonaro, 303 Dodge St. sponsored by John's Do
• Jim Malkowski, 231 Main Street, sponsored by Ivanhoe Pub & Eatery                                 
• Bob Langenohl, 230 Main Street, sponsored by Casablanca de Mexico and Shear Madness                                
• Jeff Shawhan, 240 Main Street, sponsored by Uncorkt                            
• Mike Lechtenberg, 245 Main Street sponsored by Dunn Bros Coffee                            
• Ginney Pauly, 323 Main Street, sponsored by Dover Flag and Map                                   
• John Haas, 330 Main Street, sponsored by Molly MaGruder, Art Metals Studio and Mathis Gallery                                            
• Andy Haas Schneider, 407 Main Street, sponsored by Greens and Goods and Copacetic                                                      
• Emily Schneider, 402 Main Street, sponsored by Avenue Gallery & Frame and Inside Out                             
• Dick Emmerich, 425 Main Street, sponsored by Joey's on 6th                                      
• Tim Held, 512 Monument Square Drive, sponsored by Artistry Furniture & Gift Gallery                                              
• Noreen Haas-Lephardt, 217 6th Street, sponsored by Racine Optical Company                           
• Richard Arfsten, 304 6th Street, sponsored by Moxie Child Children's Boutique                                     
• Joe Rausch, 310 6th Street, sponsored by Lornacopia                                             

While Downtown, visitors are invited to explore the unique businesses, warm up, shop or get some coffee and lunch, then vote for your favorite carving. The Racine Art Museum will host a free hands-on art project for kids and adults from 2 - 5 p.m.

Come in out of the cold.  It will warm your heart!

Pictured below are some of the ice carvings that were created on January 8, 2011: