Dear Ice Sculptor,

    The annual Ice Carving Competition in conjunction with the Newport Winter Festival will be held on Saturday, 16 February 2008.  The theme for this year’s contest will be “Mystical Newport”.

    The Brick Market Merchant’s Association will host this event and extends a personal invitation to you to participate in this year’s competition.  Should you know of other carver’s who would like to participate, do not hesitate to have them contact me.   The prizes for this year’s competition are: 

            1^st Place - $1000.00 cash

            2^nd Place - $750.00 cash

            3^rd Place - $250.00 cash

            4^th Place - $100.00 cash

            People’s Choice Award – ONE “Round Trip Airplane Ticket” to any of Southwest Airlines destinations.

    At approximately 3 PM a panel of certified judges will award the prizes. 

    This will be a two block individual freestyle competition utilizing  NICA’s  competition guidelines with a four hour time limit.  The following is a brief summary of the general guidelines:

            a.   The judges will place safety as the single most important rule for competitors and spectators.

            b.   A first safety violation may result in a verbal warning at the discretion of the judges; competitor who receives a second warning will be disqualified.

            c.   All competition ice is to be carved on the premises, within the four hour time limit, and only by the competitor.

            d.   The lead judge will supervise the jury.  The decision of the judges will be final.

            e.   The lead judge will conduct a carver’s meeting at 9:30 am

. 

            f.   Displays are judged in ten areas, each worth a possible 10 points. 

                        (1)  First Impression:  Does the sculpture excite or stimulate you at first sight?

                        (2)  Utilization of Ice:  How well has the available amount of ice been incorporated into the finished sculpture?

                        (3)  Technical Skill:  Does the sculpture show the proper and skillful use of the various tools?

                        (4)  Attention to Detail:  In relation to the available time and carving conditions, has the sculptor utilized a maximum of detail? 

                        (5)  Finished Appearance:  Does the Sculpture have a clean and finished appearance that displays the special qualities of ice?

                        (6)  Proportion and/or Symmetry:  Are the sculpture’s features proportional or symmetrical as required by the design?

                        (7)  Design and Composition:  Is the design properly composed and organized to convey the sculptor’s idea?

                        (8)  Structural Technique:  How well has the sculptor utilized structural skills?

                        (9)  Creativity:  Has the sculptor incorporated new ideas in design, technique, topic, or theme to advance the art of ice carving?

                        (10)  Artistic Impression:  Does the sculpture have artistic merit?

                        (11)  All competitors will be judged in the People’s Choice category. 

  The competition will be held throughout the Brick Market.  There will be a $50.00 entrance fee.  We will be providing sufficient space (at least 12 square feet) for each competitor.  You may use a pop-up canopy to help keep the sun off your work,   but it must be removed at the end of the competition.  All sculptures will remain on display after the competition.  Each competitor is permitted and encouraged to decorate the area around your work of art.  All sculptures will remain on display after the competition and may be photographed or placed on television for future promotions and or advertisements.   

    The prizes for the event will be enhanced with gift certificates from participating sponsors and those enhancements will be announced the day of the competition. 

    A waiver of liability must be signed by each competitor prior to commencement of the competition.  Please ask for the event coordinator (Terry Rowley) to sign the waiver. 

    Any questions regarding the ice blocks should be referred to Louis Manzoni at Art in Ice.

    For those who arrive on Friday, there may be the possibility of doing demonstration pieces for several local businesses.  If you are interested, please let me know.

    Should you have any other questions, please call me at 217-918-0948 or email me at trowley@cox.net.  I have moved from the Newport area but come back to run this event, that’s why the Illinois Phone Number.  I look forward to hearing from you soon and hope you will participate.

                                                                        Terry Rowley

                                                                        President

                                                                        Brick Market Merchant’s Association