Putting the cold weather to good use, UMW art major Mary Haggerty participated in an ice-carving demonstration yesterday. SCOTT NEVILLE/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Ice sculpting event at UMW

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

Date published: 2/9/2007

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

University of Mary Washington junior Jessica Newman skipped a gothic art class to sculpt a 250-pound block of ice.

But when the 22-year-old's professor caught her in the act, she didn't mention her student's absence.

She said, "Oh my God, it's Jessica with a chain saw!" recalled Newman.

Bearing yesterday's 36-degree weather, at least a dozen students sawed and chipped away at hunks of ice on a spot visible from College Avenue.

Sodexho USA, which provides dining services for UMW, put on the ice sculpting event for art majors.

Some of the company's chefs helped out in what they hope will become an annual event.

Not everyone boasted art backgrounds, including 20-year-old psychology major Erin Reyham.

"I just wanted to do it to say I've done it before," said the junior, who carved a peace sign into the ice.

A couple of young women randomly stopped by and jumped up and down after an organizer let them participate.

They tried to mold the ice into the form of a bottle but left after some of it cracked apart.

Beside them, 35-year-old senior Louis Hubbard wore Ray Ban sunglasses, duck boots and gloves as he chain-sawed his block into the shape of a seated cat.

Particles of ice were flying from the power tool.

After at least 30 minutes of work, he lit a cigarette and got a cup of hot chocolate.

"I'm just kind of a natural with my hands," he said, admiring his creation.

He said he's carved a couple of ice bowls and a swan for an upscale restaurant in San Francisco.

But junior Katelyn Cowen, 21, said she's sculpted only Styrofoam.

When her plans to make a candle went awry, she turned her piece into what she called a "grotesque, elongated figure."

Its head was originally supposed to be a wick, she said.

Once the event began to wrap up, Cowen and junior Joann Tong, 20, found another creative way to spend their time.

They got on the ground and attempted to drink tea that a friend poured down a sculpture.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old junior Eric Norman listened to his iPod and raked at his block with a fork-like tool.

"I was just spitting that stuff all over the place," Hubbard said.

The sculptures will remain in front of duPont Hall through Sunday.

Date published: 2/9/2007