For the second year in a row, Governors Island’s festive Winter Village is giving New Yorkers a cool place to chill (see what we did there) all winter long, providing visitors of all ages with endless festive fun.
From a 7,500-square foot skating rink and crackling fire pits to lawn games and even bike & sled rentals, Governor’s Island is the place to be this winter–and now they’re gearing up to offer even more fun!
Governors Island Arts and Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) recently announced that they’ll be co-hosting Governors Island’s second annual Winter Ice Sculpture Show, returning next Saturday, February 18!
The ice sculpting competition gives New Yorkers and visitors alike the chance to be wowed by live ice carving demonstrations, alongside all the other winter fun the island has to offer.
“The annual ice sculpture show provides direct support for local artists and brings New Yorkers another joyful, ephemeral public art experience on Governors Island in the winter months,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “This unique event is one of many reasons to visit the Island during the winter season. We can’t wait to once again welcome visitors of all ages to come and enjoy music and warm drinks, experience the thrill of live ice sculpting, and vote on their favorite works.”
Ten NYC-based artists were selected late last year after submitting designs through an open call, each of which will be paired with professional ice carvers from Okamoto Studio on the day of the event. Those who head to the Winter Village on this day will get to see each sculpture carved in real-time before voting for their favorite.
And, beyond the ice carving there will be even more fun to be had.
DJ sets from Red Corvette and DJ Savage will keep the energy at an all-time high throughout the entire event, and food and drinks from Governors Island vendor Little Eva’s as well as several Black-owned food trucks will be standing by once you get hungry.
The rest of the fun activities the village has to offer will, of course, also be open and ready to provide you with the best day ever–we suggest taking in breathtaking views of the city skyline while gliding around on the ice rink!
“Governors Island is known as a major hub for the arts and creativity in NYC, the region and beyond, and this ice sculpture competition highlights that synergy and the wonderful programming that has made the Island its home,” said Meredith Johnson, VP of Arts & Culture and Head Curator for the Trust. “We look forward to welcoming our artists and a curious public to witness the spectacle of carving ice with a chainsaw, a thrill that has few rivals.”
This one-of-a-kind event is too cool to miss, and will take place on Saturday, February 18, from 2p.m. to 5p.m., so be sure to add it onto your calendar!