Wichita Art Museum hosting an “Ice-tacular” time Saturday

About 2,400 pounds of ice will steal the show at the Wichita Art Museum on Saturday, Jan. 25. Over the course of five hours, nine artists will have the chance to sculpt eight blocks of ice.

Teresa Veazey, Public Relations Manager for the Wichita Art Museum, said this is the 5th year for the event, which is part of the ArtVenture series, a host of events — usually on the fourth Saturday of the month — which are free to the public.

“I think this event is pretty one-of-a-kind” Veazey said. “Where else in the city do you find artists carving 300-pound blocks of ice?”

The ice-carving artists include locals Emily Chamberlin, Karen Cox, Marc Durfee, Brady Hatter, Garet Reynek, and Brenda Lichman with her team of artists: Ted Adler, Denise DeBusk, and James Porter.

For Marc Durfee, this is his third year participating in the event.

“This event is really fun,” Durfee said. “The people coming to watch don’t really know what to expect. This isn’t traditional ice carving. We all have an understanding of ice, but this is very unique and different.”

Durfee said his favorite part of the event is engaging with the public and for people to not just view the ice, but participate in the experience and speak with artists. He hopes that viewers will feel welcome to interact with him and his art.

The event also includes food vendors Funky Monkey Munchies and Wheat Street Dogs, music by DJ Carbon, Face Painting with Ashley, Lamphouse Photo Booth Co. and two film screenings. The first showing is “Eight Below” at 11 a.m. and then “Happy Feet” at 2 p.m.

“This is one of our most popular events at the museum,” Veazey said. “It’s a great time and always a surprise to see what the artists are going to do.”

Veazey also said to dress warmly as activities are inside and outside. The normal entrance is closed for construction. The temporary entrance is on the east side of the building.

Family ArtVenture: Ice-tacular

Admission: Free. Food for sale; other vendor-sponsored events are free.

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25

Where: Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd.