Paul Szwalkiewicz of Milwaukee works Saturday on his sculpture, entitled Modern Snowman, during the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship at the Burlington Ice Festival in Wehmhoff Square Park in Burlington. ADAM ROGAN,
BURLINGTON â Ice carvers sent messages of hope and rebirth Saturday with inspirational entries in the Wisconsin State Ice Carving Championship.
Seizing upon the COVID-19 pandemic and other themes of turmoil from 2020, the ice-carving competitors chose uplifting and even humorous approaches to the event.
The championship took place during the fifth annual Burlington Ice Festival, held at Wehmhoff Square Park.
Paul Laabs of Waukesha entitled his ice sculpture âMy Hope,â depicting a raised arm holding a cross in its fist, which he said was a statement about the COVID pandemic as well as racial strife and political protests.