Governors Island Inaugural Winter Ice Sculpture Show
Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 12pm – 2pm
Winter Village at Colonels Row on Governors Island
Presented in partnership with The Trust for Governors Island
On Saturday, February 18, 2023, The Trust for Governors Island and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council present the 2nd Annual Governors Island Winter Ice Sculpture Show!
Join us for a day of ice carving and an ice sculpture show at Governors Island Winter Village on Saturday, February 18 from 12-2pm This one-of-a-kind event will feature live ice carving along with DJ sets from Red Corvette and DJ Savage curated by Half Moon. In honor of Black History Month, food trucks operated by Black-owned businesses Ms. Supdz and GG’s Fish & Chips will offer food and drink during the event. The Governors Island Winter Village, including the ice skating rink, seasonal food options, lawn games, fire pits, and more, will be open to the public throughout the day!
New York City-based artists and artist teams are invited to submit ideas for an ice sculpture, to be completed at the second annual Winter Ice Sculpture Show on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Ten proposals will be selected by a distinguished jury of New York City cultural leaders, including Shintaro Okamoto (Okamoto Studios). Selected artists or teams will receive an award of $2,000 to participate, and will be provided with tools, production materials, and will be matched with a professional ice carver from Okamoto Studio to complete the work on the day of the event.
2023 Selected Artists
David Kirshoff
Phyllis Sanfiorenzo
Alison Cynamon
Andrea Corson
Raul De Lara
Ak Jansen
Alice e.l.
Carrie Bobo
Gabrielle Ondine Mertz
Yulia Tsukerman
Applicant & Project Eligibility
Artists of all backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to propose an idea for an ice sculpture. Artists can submit independently or work as a team. Each selected work will receive a single award of $2,000.
Artists should propose a work based on the use of a clear ice block sized approximately 40” x 20” x 10”. The work does not need to remain in block dimensions. It will be constructed with ice carving tools allowing it to be cut, remolded, and shaped to varying dimensions. Each block will be carved on site under the council of a professional ice sculptor, and each artist or team will need to be able to operate power tools (with instruction) and lift ice and heavy objects when needed. Please note that any additional materials required for the proposed design, not outlined above, should be supplied by the artist.
Public Event & Selection
Sculptures will be carved in a two-hour public event on Governors Island, from 12pm – 2pm on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Artists will need to be available for an orientation at Okamoto Studios on a weekday between Feb 6-9 (date to be announced) as well as be on site at Governors Island starting at 10:30am on the day of the show (Saturday, February 18, 2023).
Ten projects will be selected by the jury and notified by Friday, February 3, 2023 and winning submissions will be published online. Artists are encouraged to invite friends, fans, colleagues, and family to attend as additional fun prizes will be awarded to artists and artist teams on the day of the event through audience participation. An artist reception will follow the show and sculptures will remain on view on Governors Island until they melt.
The deadline to submit your proposal has passed.
About Okamoto Studio
OKAMOTO STUDIO is an artist collective dedicated to creating sculptures, replicas, installations and performances with uniquely crystal clear ice. Founded in 2003 and based in Long Island City, NY, their projects challenge the existing artistry of ice carving through modern technology and contemporary sensibility.
2022 Selected Artists
Dennis RedMoon Darkeem
MingLiang Lu
Elizabeth Meggs
Shaheen Salehi/Rengu Zhang
Hannah Schulman
Jessica Segall
Chad Stayrook
Yuliya Tsukerman
Bruce Williams
Mei Yin
New York City-based artists and artist teams are invited to submit ideas for an ice sculpture, to be completed at the second annual Winter Ice Sculpture Show on Saturday, February 18, 2023.
Ten proposals will be selected by a distinguished jury of New York City cultural leaders, including Shintaro Okamoto (Okamoto Studios). Selected artists or teams will receive an award of $2,000 to participate, and will be provided with tools, production materials, and will be matched with a professional ice carver from Okamoto Studio to complete the work on the day of the event. The deadline to send proposals is Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
Deadline to apply: Friday, January 20, 2023 at 5pm
Selected Artists to be notified: Friday, February 3, 2023
Half day orientation at Okamoto Studios: Date TBD weekday between Feb. 6-9, 2023
Event date: Saturday, February 18, 2023
Complete the Online Application Form below. Complete applications will include:
- Short description of work
- A Rendering or sketch of proposed work (with base ice block no larger than 40” x 20” x 10”, that can be cut and molded for a resulting work of varying dimensions)
- Short artist or artist team statement
- Artist or artist team short bio
Questions? Please contact the Governors Island Arts team at commissions@govisland.org.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
