Ice Box – art in the heart of winter

On the heels of the successful Firelight Lantern Festival is the Department of Illumination’s inaugural Ice Box – art in the heart of winter.

Ice Box is a new public art event set for Feb. 2-10, produced by the artist collective in partnership with Macaulay Heritage Park. Ice Box is free of charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

Organizer Krista Dalby said the grounds of Macaulay House will host five colourful wooden huts, each transformed into an interactive art installation led by local artists in collaboration with community members of all ages.

“The site of Ice Box will be a festive gathering place that over the course of two weekends will be a hive of activity, including dancing, live music, storytelling and even a community procession. Over five weekdays ICE BOX will be focused on school visits, giving hundreds of children the chance to experience both art and winter like never before.”

Examples include:

PRINT – Artists Chrissy Poitras and Genna Kusch have created an interactive wood cut relief print that visitors can use to transfer their own image onto paper, as well as exploring an enchanting exhibition of miniature paper pop-ups made using printmaking techniques.

STORY – A collaboration between writer Sarah Selecky and artist Susanne Larner, this installation celebrates stories written in our community. Writing promptsl encourage the public to participate by leaving their own stories behind.

REMIX – Visitors to Hri Neil’s installation will find blocks of all shapes and sizes faced with colours, textures and images of Macaulay House. Build your own version of a remixed Macaulay House, upload a picture to social media, then knock it down and see what other visitors come up with!

This weekend:

The opening address is set for Saturday at 10 a.m. from Mohawk Elder David Jock (Wenhniseriio), an Elder Advisor for First Nations Technical Institute.

Snow pants yoga for kids follows, with Tarayn Hiddink (will be held inside Macaulay Church is poor weather).

There will be wood-fired pizza served up by the Friends of Macaulay Heritage Park from noon to 2 p.m.; a Crackle and Pop dance for everyone from 1-2 p.m. followed by snowshoeing and a marshmallow roast with the Picton Recreation Committee.

Sunday features storytelling with Deb Palmer, pizza, another dance and a performance from the Sophiasburgh All-Stars at 2 p.m. in the church.