“We’re letting people play with fire.”
– Jesica Oliverio, junior graphic design major and Arts and Craft Centre employee

Blowtorches, picks and chisels were made available to students and faculty interested in creating ice sculptures on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Studio Arts and Crafts Centre sponsored an ice sculpting night from 5 to 8 p.m. last Wednesday.

“We’re letting people play with fire,” said Jesica Oliverio, a junior studying graphic design who works in the Arts and Craft Centre.

Nearly 60 children from UWM’s Children’s Center watched excitedly from Spaights Plaza as about 20 UWM students and faculty tried their hands at ice sculpting.

Union Catering used to sponsor ice sculpting but only sporadically.

“It has been a while since we’ve done it,” said Meg Vetting, Union Catering secretary. “I’m assuming it’s because a lot of people don’t like ice sculptures. It’s not a commodity.”

“I’m very pleased with the turnout,” said Katie Reiser, manager of the Arts and Craft Centre. “It’s our first year doing this. We’ll be doing a lot of new things because we’re trying a new direction.”

Stephanie Flasch, a junior majoring in education, shaped her ice block to move liquid. Laura Needler, who is a sophomore nursing student, created a mushroom.

The students said they found out about the sculpting from a billboard in the Union.

Raven Bavis, 12, sculpted with her big sister, Melissa Lawson, of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Lawson works in the Center for Volunteerism and Student Leadership.

“I had gone on a cruise and saw people sculpting and thought it would be awesome to try it,” Lawson said.

Bavis and Lawson melted their ice block to become a heart.

On Monday, Feb.13, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., all the construction paper and materials needed to create valentines will be made available at no cost at the Arts and Crafts Centre.

Reiser said the center will be holding more events like this to garner interest in using the center. All students have free membership to the center and may use its tools for almost any project conceivable. If students wish to become more proficient at a skill, classes are available at discounted rates.

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