Governors Island Winter Ice Sculpture Show

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.