Page 49 - Allisons Magazine Issue #95

later become the first international
championship in 1991.

Since then, the town has become
a haven for snow sculptors and is
dedicated to making the experience
memorable, not only for those
competing but also for those who
come to admire the work. “The setting
could not be more perfect,” says Brett
Tomczak, a longtime competitor from
Wisconsin. “Breckenridge takes really
good care of us.”

CARVING CAMARADERIE His team’s collection of sculpting tools thought it would be easier, but it was five categories: Gold, Silver, Bronze,
It’s no secret that snow sculpting is a has evolved well past spoons and bowls actually a lot harder than we thought.” Artists’ Choice, and Kid’s Choice. The
niche portion of the art world. Most over the years, though. The only things Gold went to Team Mongolia-Erdene
people might not even know that it that cannot be used at the international For their 2018 project, Tomczak’s team for its sculpture titled Secret, Silver
exists outside the realm of snowmen. competition are heat and power tools, decided on a ballerina who would was awarded to Team China, while
But, like any other creative outlet, the so competitors are able to get pretty stand in a pirouette position with a the Bronze was awarded to Team USA
artists are fully committed to their craft creative with their strategy. In 2018, circular ribbon wrapped around the Wisconsin-Vogt. The Artists’ Choice
and are constantly revolutionizing what Tomczak said his team upped its game outside of the sculpture—an ambitious medal—decided by peer vote—went to
it means to create art out of snow. by bringing snow-specific sculpting undertaking, Tomczak admits, being Team Mongolia-Tserendash, and the
tools they purchased from China that their first time working to scale and with Kid’s Choice was also awarded to
As a part of USA Team Wisconsin- are designed to chip away at the block an entirely new team member. Team China.
Tomczak—one of two teams from the delicately and precisely. The team also
state, and one of five American teams— frequently uses a roofing shovel, a six- Unfortunately, the team eventually The community of snow sculptors that
Tomczak has been snow sculpting on the pronged ice pick, a horsehair brush, pushed the sculpture a little too far, and has formed out of these events is truly
international level for more than twenty and sandpaper. it collapsed before the judging phase of supportive and, even more important,
years, though it was a path he nearly the competition. “We never had a piece just fun, Tomczak notes. While many
passed up. “I kind of fell into snow Even with all of the tools at their fall before,” says Tomczak. “We knew people can’t comprehend the point of
sculpting,” he admits. “A friend called disposal, it seems that the creation of this year our concept was really fragile, spending countless hours on a piece of
me up one day and asked if I wanted to these gigantic frozen sculptures would but if you want a chance to get on the artwork to let it melt away a few days
join his snow sculpting team that was be near impossible without a carefully podium, you have to push yourself. If it later, he says that the real meaning is
going to be entering a competition at a coordinated plan, though Tomczak falls, well, then you know you pushed in what the experience at large can
local winter carnival. I grabbed anything notes the 2018 competition was the too far.” bring you.
I could find—some bowls and a few first time his team utilized a to-scale
spoons—and decided to see what I model of its sculpture. In other years Though the sculpture did not hold up “Just because there’s not a clear end in
could do.” Team Wisconsin-Tomczak came to the for judging, Tomczak says its misfortune sight for what you’re creating doesn’t
competition with drawings of the front was a true showcase of the camaraderie mean you shouldn’t do it. I love the idea
Tomczak’s team ended up taking third of its sculpture and simply improvised at this event. Members of nearby Team that ‘the things that make us weird as
place, and he instantly fell in love with the rest, Tomczak says. Mexico immediately ran over after the children make us interesting as adults.’
the idea. He has been competing ever incident to offer assistance and to check Whatever you’re doing—if you’re
since. He has also, for the most part, “Historically, most teams have a model on their safety. enjoying yourself while doing it—that’s
been competing with the same group of their sculpture with details on all four reason enough.”
of sculptors and has been lucky enough sides,” he says. “But we are very organic THE JUDGING For more info, visit gobreck.com
to be invited to the international and fluid with our process. This year, With fifteen teams left standing, voting
championships for the last few years. when we decided to use a model, we commenced to decide on a winner in

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