What started as a single shanty on Medicine Lake has grown year by year to 20 artist-designed shanties and 15 roving art projects. The Art Shanty Project is inspired by traditional ice fishing houses, but the shanties that will occupy the ice for the 2010 event are inspired by subjects as diverse as astronomy, the post office, secret agents, tropical vacations, magic forests, and sweat bathing. The last one is a a giant tipi with a real sauna that visitors can enjoy. And if you don't want to take advantage of the sauna (how are they going to stop in melting through the ice? I'm guessing that the artists have though of that and do have a plan) there will be an dance shanty to keep you warm grooving, and there's plenty of hot tea for visitors.
The Art Shanties will be at Medicine Lake from January 16 through February 5, and every Saturday and Sunday during the project special events and performances will entertain guests. There will be bICEcle races, ArtCars, poetry performances, craft activities, feats of strength and agility, and music.
Come and simply watch the fun, but if you want, visitors can participate in just about everything at the festival. Take a ride in an art car, bring your own bike to race on the ice, make electronic music from children's toys, bring some of your own artwork to swap for a new piece, or tell stories, bring baked goods or show off your own special talent in exchange for a handmade teacup.
More information, directions and a schedule of perfomances at the Art Shanty Project website
Photographs of 2009 Art Shanties. Images © Mike Haeg, courtesy Art Shanty Projects
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