Matt Foss, director
For 35 years, Team USA Snow Sculptors (Mike Sponholtz, Mike Martino, and Tom Queoff) have been making art at the Woodson Art Museum, in what has become an anticipated annual winter tradition. While their snow sculptures were always a highlight, the guys themselves were really the attraction. All three are engaging, funny, and accomplished. The perfect trio to work at the Museum for a weekend and to meet and talk with Museum visitors curious about the sculpture in progress. Many people would stop year after year to reconnect with Tom and the Mikes. While terrific to see the audience engagement, I also felt bad for people that came by and had to carry on conversations in what were almost always subzero temperatures…
In honor of their upcoming final snow sculpture at the Museum later this winter, the Woodson not only organized the exhibition Captured in Cold: Photographs from 35 Years of Team USA Snow Sculpture, featuring high quality photographs of each snow sculpture, but also will hold a meet and greet for those who wish to connect with “the guys” one last time. While it might be more apropos to host it outdoors in the cold, Mike, Mike, and Tom wanted this event to be indoors so they could properly talk and reminisce with friends old and new in the Museum’s galleries.
If you’ve enjoyed the snow sculptures of Team USA over the past three-plus decades, or just enjoyed their company, please stop by the Museum on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 3 pm to wish them well and get an idea of the Tiffany lamp-inspired sculpture they’ll create for their last go-around at the Woodson Art Museum. If you already have plans on Saturday, don’t fret. Their magic, which is on full display in Captured in Cold, will be at the Museum through February 1. Additionally, you can always pop back to the Museum in February, when they are here and back in their element(s) for their finale.
