Sculptors can get creative with snow in Geneva
It's right around this time of year that the snow starts to look ugly.
The thrill of the white Christmas is gone and the dirty, salty snow has taken over.
But at Geneva Commons this weekend, you're likely to think a little differently about snow.
The Randall Road mall and the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission are hosting a Sno Sculpting Exhibition.
Today through Saturday, teams will compete in the parking lot outside of Dick's Sporting Goods to come up with artistic creations from blocks of snow.
To make sure there is enough white stuff, starting today, Raging Buffalo will fill the air with fresh falling snow for the competition.
Then Thursday, front loaders will start to fill the sculpting molds. Volunteers are needed to help pack the snow into molds on Thursday, as well as staff a snow house and warming house all weekend.
Once the snow is made and packed, several adult snow sculpting teams will begin to create their artwork.
For the past two years the team led by Joe Gagnepain has won the adult division.
“Snow sculptures bring a sense of wonder and enjoyment to young and old,” Gagnepain said via e-mail. “The works are wonderful to view finished or in process. You can watch the artist work, ask questions and see our tools in action.”
There also will be three high school teams in a student part of the competition. Students from Batavia, Kaneland and Marmion will be participating.
You can head out to see the artwork in progress and then vote on your favorite between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday for the People's Choice award.
Awards will be announced between 4 and 6 p.m.
Visitors also will get gift bags with merchant coupons inside.
“Come watch us work, and take snow sculpting techniques home to your family and have fun with the resource that's plentiful in winter,” Gagnepain said.
For details on this event or to volunteer, visit genevarts.org or call (630) 938-4530.
Call for artists: A different kind of art will come to Algonquin Commons this fall.Artists can start applying now to take place in the third annual Algonquin Commons Art Fair. The event, which will take place Sept. 24 and 25, is a juried fine art and fine craft festival. The fair benefits the District 300 Foundation.The deadline to submit applications to participate is June 30. Artists can visit www.d300foundation.org/artistapplication.html for information, or e-mail eventconnection@comcast.net.A farewell to tea: TeaGschwendner in Algonquin Commons along Randall Road is closing. The shop, which served up tea and sold countless varieties of loose tea, is in its final weeks of business and is offering 50 to 70 percent off all accessories.#376; Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036. 35042336Nick Mason, right, and his dad Monty, both of St. Charles, work on their snow sculpture at last years snow sculpting competition at Geneva Commons. This years event starts today and runs through Saturday.BRIAN HILL/Daily Herald 2010