Amy Cahillane: Ice Art Festival a community success

Published: 01-30-2023 12:56 PM

The 12th Annual Northampton Ice Art Festival was a magical affair, with amazing artists, perfect weather, crowds of enthusiastic viewers and wonderful event hosts and sponsors. On behalf of the Downtown Northampton Association: Thank you! Thank you for coming out to engage with our artists and experience the Ice Art Festival in person. This year’s group of carvers was a fabulous mix of long-time local favorites and new-to-Northampton carvers: David Barclay, Mark Bosworth, Khali Hernandez, Rob Kimmel, Eric Knoll, Meg Kupiec and Wayne Miller, Michael Legassey, Robert Markey, Chris Nelson, Nathan Peterson, Billy Poe, Michael Rondeau and Peter Vacchina. Each of them made something phenomenal out of a bit of frozen water, while sharing their craft with the community.

Thanks also to Summit Ice out of Greenfield, who delivered 36 blocks of ice, weighing 300 lbs each! Their team’s early morning start ensured a full day of carving downtown. Thank you to the Light Ladies, Inc. who made sure that each sculpture was illuminated and each carver was able to power up their tools for the day. Their early morning efforts and availability throughout the weekend was incredibly valuable. A huge thank you to each of our artist sponsors, who contributed funds to enable us to bring these amazing artists to downtown: A2Z Science & Learning Store, Beryl, Cafe Balagan, Fitzwilly’s, Greenfield Savings Bank, Hampton Court, the Hotel Northampton, Inspirit Crystals, the Northampton Arts Council, Pinch, Resinate, Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, Summit Salon and Thornes Marketplace.

The Ice Art Festival is part of our monthly Arts Night Out series, which is generously sustained by Whalen Insurance; their support makes not only the Ice Art Festival, but the Chalk Art Festival, Jazzy Arts Night Out and every monthly Arts Night Out possible. And finally, endless gratitude to several community partners whose significant contributions, both financial and logistical, enable the Downtown Northampton Association to continue to thrive: the city of Northampton, Smith College and Thornes Marketplace.

Amy Cahillane

Executive Director Downtown Northampton Association

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