The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre will transform its Walter’s Dining Room into a multi-faceted art show featuring some of Jasper’s most talented creators, Jan. 17.
Arts on Ice is a truly inclusive show, featuring everything from ice sculptures to mosaics to sculptures to hand crafted lanterns.
Melissa Woodcock, a member of the Jasper Artists Guild, helped put the show together. She said that with the close to 40 pieces on display at the show, the creators tried hard to include as many different mediums as possible.
“We hit as many forms as we could,” she explained. “That’s why the name is Arts on Ice,” she added, emphasizing the plural “arts,” because there are so many different mediums being showcased.
Tony Bielec, general manager of the Sawridge, also helped bring about the event. He said the idea was to create something that could become another of Jasper in January’s signature events.
“It’s not just your stereotypical arts show where there’s just stuff hanging on the wall,” Bielec said, “we’re bringing all the arts into place.
“It’s a great opportunity for the local artists to be able to showcase their stuff. We’ve got some phenomenal artists here.”
Part of why he is so excited about the event is that the organizers have incorporated as much into the night as possible.
A big goal of Bielec’s was to make the show as interactive for guests as possible, so not only will the event feature live music, the hotel’s chefs will also be there in person whipping up unique appetizers for guests.
“We kind of consider bartending an art as well, so we’re going to have a bar,” Bielec said, gushing over the classic-style martinis bartenders will be serving throughout the night.
Along with the food and drink, some of JAG’s artists will also be on hand painting and drawing during the event, offering guests a glimpse into the creative process, or simply giving them a chance to chat.
Woodcock said that fellow JAG artist Claude Boocock’s curating has left the space looking fantastic.
Artists were asked to create something around the theme of “fire and ice,” and Woodcock said this led to some amazing work, such as Jesse Dion’s narrative pieces exploring the ice age; or Satiko Naito’s unique paper lanterns.
“Even just aesthetically it works really well; it looks great in there,” she said, explaining that the colours of all the work seem to compliment each other, leaving a dazzling visual experience.
Arts on Ice will run from 6–10 p.m. at Walter’s Dining Room in the Sawridge. Tickets are $10 per person, and include a complimentary cocktail and the chance to sample some “unreal” appetizers.
“People get to mix and mingle and check out some cool art and watch some art being created,” Bielec said. “That’s a pretty good night.”
 Trevor Nichols
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