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Art the Experience

January, 2009
by Greg Butauski

Titanic's 3rd Annual Ice Competition

was a big success drawing record crowds. People gathered around carvers to see them create ice magic in the warm sun. It was great weather for spectators at around 50 degrees, but for 29 carvers and judges from 8 different states, it was another story!

It was a hard day as the ice took a beating in the mid-day sun. Carvers worked hard to protect their ice and put up pieces that defied the weather. In the end John Flottman of Ideas In Ice in Oklahoma City came out on top in the professional division by carving a boy playing frisbee with his dog. John scored a silver medal. Second place went to Alex Moore who carved the Titanic's Helm. It defied gravity and logic, as it appeared as though it should not be standing. Alex crashed with this same piece one year earlier and came back this year to make sure everyone could see his great design. Third place belonged to Ken Burkemper who carved a Pegasus. Great job guys.

In the amateur division the top dollar went to former Collegiate Champion Issaac Delamatre, from the University of Akron, who carved a lizard. Second place was an eagle carved by a Columbus Culinary Institute student David A. Smith. Third place was called the great escape, carved by Paul Ray form West Virginia. It was a cat reaching for a bird as it flew away.

This competition was held on January 17 at the Titanic Museum in Branson, MO. Rock On Ice helped to organize and manage the event for the Titanic. In two years managing this event we were able to triple the amount of carvers that participated from the first year. This year we added a new event to the NICA sanctioned competition—a People's Choice event.

Carvers were allowed to bring in one pre-carved sculpture of their choice and they were displayed at the exit of the museum. As the customers exited the building they were given a chip that represented their vote for peoples choice. Each sculpture had a bucket with a slit in the lid for the voting chip to be dropped. Once again John Flottman walked away the winner carving a swordfish that drew 200 votes. Second place was Michael Stoddard from Louisville, KY carving the moon with a face and he drew 180 votes. Third place belonged to Vernon Barker who carved a very unique and colorful candy dispenser for the kids, he had over 150 votes.

The People's Choice pulled in over 700 votes and was a big success! We will improve on this new format and bring it back to Branson again next year. We would also like to thank the Titanic Museum for inviting us into their town to make a great show.