After taking a one-year hibernation, the Art Shanty Projects will re-awaken on the surface of the ice. This year, 18 creative art shanties made by select artists will dot the frozen landscape on White Bear Lake.
The project started in 2005 on Medicine Lake with the intention of transforming a frozen lake into an interactive artist happening. The possibilities are endless—notable shanties from the last event include a dance hall shanty, a robot shanty and an elevator lobby shanty.
This year marks the second time the shanties are in White Bear Lake, where there is synergy between the city, local businesses and the shanty projects. In 2014 alone, the On-Ice program attracted over 11,000 people to the area. And this year, not surprisingly, the event is expected to draw even more attendees.
There is a notable collaboration between the Art Shanty Projects and White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA), where the center builds community participation and hosts events in conjunction with the Art Shanty Projects; WBCA even has an art shanty of its own, the Pedal Bear.
Danielle Cézanne, program director for White Bear Center for the Arts, is enthusiastic about the public art festival and encourages folks to come out to experience the art shanties. “It really gets people out of the winter blues and gets people into celebrating our weather,” Cézanne says. “We need these boosts for our mood.”
February 6–28, Saturdays and Sundays. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Ramsey Beach, White Bear Lake County Park.
