Fellow Carver,  

We carved Three 1 block demos for the Museum of Contmporry Art.  They gave us total freedom on design.  Fun!




We even got to decorate their sign with some rings we carved on site.

Be careful, A student ice carver from Michigan wasn't handling his die grinder properly & this happened-

I know you just cringed, you were supposed to.  Be vigilant & aware of where your hands are.

 
Sample design (one of 6) for Boot Camp 2014
14 spots remaining.

Next years Boot Camp will be stepping it up another notch.  You will be carving on competition style pieces in teams of 4!! Textures, Blocking in, Detailing & Fuse 1200 lbs of ice while making an ice sculpture with an accomplished Ice Artist / Coach.

It is with a heavy heart that I will have to decline the invitation to compete in Sochi. There are many reasons contributing to this-

1. The average temperature in Sochi is above freezing even at night. When a request was made for foam and dry ice, the organizers said No.
2. 15 Blocks is a large amount of ice for 1 carver. When I requested that I be able to bring an English speaking to help lift ice, the organizer again said No.
3. The event is held weeks before the sporting events. Attending sporting events and being part of the Winter Olympics energy would be lost.
4. When a request was made for 110V power, the organizers said No.
5. When a request was made for scaffolding, you guessed it the organizers said No.
6. Even a request for an extra room (that I was willing to pay for) for family was denied.

To sum it up there is not enough support being given to the artists to create the amazing works of art that they are capable of.

This has been the toughest decision of my ice sculpting career & was not taken lightly. I apologize to all of the carvers in the United States. I will not be representing you & feel horrible about it.