Triumph Winterfest Art Event Debuts
For the second year in a row an ice sculpture is taking shape alongside Gore Creek as Vail's second annual Triumph Winterfest art event debuts Jan. 16. A project of Vail's Art in Public Places (AIPP), the exhibit has been designed by Denver artist Lawrence Argent, the artist responsible for the Big Blue Bear sculpture that has become the signature of the Denver Convention Center, and is being sculpted this week by Scott Rella, an internationally applauded ice sculptor.
A lighting ceremony to celebrate the exhibit's completion will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 16 at the fire pit on Gore Creek Promenade. The illuminated spiral shaped sculpture represents a giant mollusk shell consisting of a wall of ice blocks that vary in size from two to nine feet. The intent of the piece is to remind spectators that millions of years ago Colorado was under a prehistoric sea. Energy efficient LED lights that change color during the night were used to illuminate the project. AIPP Coordinator Leslie Fordham says the there’s a lot of buzz about the sculpture. “Last year was super successful and right now there are dozens of people watching the sculptor create the exhibit.”
The project is funded by Triumph Development with additional support provided by The Willows, WinMax Foundation, Slifer Smith and Frampton, FirstBank of Vail, Plaza Lodge Associates, VOLVO, Alpine Bank, Slifer Designs, Ron Byrne & Associates, US Bank and Cogswell Gallery.
The exhibit will be viewable every day until the sculptures eventually melts.
In between powder runs and tee shots, long-time Vail local Miles Burton, habitually observes local government.
Email
Print
Feed
Reader Comments:
For those of you who didn't make it last year, this is a must see. The setting beside Gore Creek is idyllic.