Ice cold beauty in Sisters

Two large ice sculptures adorn the open space to the east of Leavitt's. They were carved on Saturday, December 16 as a part of the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Cowboy Christmas.

This year is the first time that outdoor ice sculptures have been included in the annual chamber Christmas celebration. The works of art were created by artists Paul Stark and Jan Hasson; a third block of ice remains to be carved.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, horse drawn wagon rides transported people into another era as well as around town. The frosty air created the perfect atmosphere for the wagon rides which were also a part of the Cowboy Christmas theme that the chamber is promoting this year. The rides were offered from 11 a.m. and the service was continued through the day until 3 p.m.

Bob Lafferty of Laughing Trails Cowboy Campground located near Chiliquin provided the wagon and horse for the event. The horse is named Socks and managed the icy streets with great aplomb. Socks will be returning Saturday, December 23, offering rides between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The price is $5 per person and children under the age of six ride free.

A natural worry for the group who gathered for the creation of the ice masterpieces was the weather. Concerns were repeatedly voiced about whether or not the weather will remain cold enough for the sculptures to last through the holiday season.

So far, frigid night time temperatures and highs that hover in the low 20s have kept the carvings fresh.

Artist Paul Stark, upon completion of his creation of a winged angel, reported, "It took me about four hours to do it." Glistening in the sunlight, the angel complemented the work of Jan Hasson, and both were an utter contrast to the uncarved block of ice that sported a scratched on "happy face."

According to Jeri Buckmann, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce Events Director, the artist who had agreed to do the third block of ice had failed to appear, and Buckmann was beginning to worry that she might have to do the work. She commented that if she did have to take on the resident artist job she would use the chisels, not a chain saw.

Fortunately, there were offers from some Sisters High School art students, so it would appear the crisis will be solved in the days to come without much ado.

The only problem that emerged in addition to the artist gone missing was that of Cascade Avenue. It was extremely slippery from the packed ice, and pedestrians who saw the sculptures across the street immediately changed direction to inspect the art works, creating some minor panic among the skidding drivers who were struggling to keep from adding the traditional Sisters jay walker to their hood ornament.

Buckmann is excited about the addition of the new ice sculpture venue to the growing annual Christmas festivities and said, "Absolutely, we will have this again next year. There was a lot of enthusiasm over the thing, and next year it will be bigger and better."