Old Art Building in Leland holds annual icebreaker, outdoor sculpting event
Icebreaker 2021 photos by Mark Smith.
From staff reports
The second annual Icebreaker ice sculpting event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Old Art Building in Leland. The event features a sculpting demonstration by a professional ice artist, along with teams comprised of community members of all skill levels. The event is open to the public, free of charge, or register your own carving team by contacting the Old Art Building. The challenge will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on their front lawn.
Food and beverages will be available for sale, and viewers can warm up at one of several bonfires as they wander the pathways to see ice carving in action. Matt Cooper of Icon Ice will be on site from 11-2 carving his own design.
Cooper is an international award-winning ice sculptor and owner of Icon Ice in Fenton, Michigan. He supplies ice to businesses and private events around the state, including many clients in the Leelanau-Grand Traverse region. Cooper also competed on the FoodNetwork’s competition, “Food Landscapes.”
Icebreaker focuses on fun and creativity and is not considered an official competition. There is still time to register If you are interested in creating your own ice sculpture.
Michigan’s Oldest Art Center Honors Tradition and Inspires Possibilities
Michigan’s Oldest Arts Center celebrates its Centennial birthday this year by honoring its history and inspiring possibilities for the future. There are several changes under way at the Old Art Building (OAB) in Leland, including special celebratory events on the calendar and a new strategic plan in motion to begin a new era.
The OAB’s Board of Directors wasted no time digging into the strategic plan outlining their priorities for the next few years. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Becky Ross, one goal is already coming to fruition: To develop a competitive staff compensation philosophy and policy to recruit, retain and reward exceptional employees.
The OAB restructured existing roles and added a new position. Scott Thurrott has officially stepped into the new role of Facilities Manager. He stopped by the OAB two years ago to volunteer in the garden and has since become an imperative member of the team, taking care of building and grounds maintenance, among other duties. Scott moved to Leelanau County after retiring from a 45-year career in the municipal and industrial pump industry.
Sarah Mills was OAB’s 2019 Volunteer of the Year and served as Program Assistant for two years before recently taking on the role of Program Director. Her background as a college counselor, coach and program coordinator fits well with her new role.
Abby Chatfield was promoted to Office Manager. Her professional experience includes group coordination, account and program management, creating content and maintaining data for e-commerce sites.
Ross and her staff are poised to handle a year packed with events and celebrations. To learn more about what the OAB will offer in 2022, check out the events calendar on their website: www.oldartbuilding.com/calendar/.
For additional information, call the Old Art Building at 231-256-2131.
