Published: 2/7/2021 4:18:06 PM
AMHERST — Artist/ice sculptor Joe Almeida and his son, Josh, spent Friday morning installing a menagerie of ice figures on the Boltwood Avenue side of the Amherst Common.
Almeida carved the 10 creatures, ranging from an eagle to a unicorn, off-site on a commission for this weekend’s “Ice Sculptures on the Common: A Drive-Thru Experience” event organized by the Amherst Recreation Department, Amherst Business Improvement District and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.
Sara Ewell and her son Max, 4, of Amherst dropped by during the installation for a preview and watched as the Almeidas, using a spray bottle and plentiful snow, reunited a unicorn with its horn and tail, fragile parts that had been removed for the trip from Westfield. The illuminated pedestals for nighttime display were provided by the Downtown Northampton Association.
Kevin Gutting can be reached at kgutting@gazettenet.com.