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"Ice Castles on the Green"
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2008
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. While officially “Colony Christmas” only lasts a weekend, the VAA would like to extend the celebration throughout the month of December. One way will be the exhibition of “Ice Castles on the Green” during December.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2009
December is the month for ICE CASTLES! During this month’s Colony Christmas celebration in Palmer, artists of the Valley Arts Alliance displayed a collection of ice sculptures on the GREEN, the area in Palmer located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2010
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. As part of the festivities, the Valley Arts Alliance presented their Third Annual “ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN”, which featured unique sculptures made of ice.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2011
Colony Christmas is an old fashioned three-day celebration of Christmas past and present in Palmer that features horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeer, gingerbread houses, holiday carolers, and a dazzling display of ice sculptures. As part of the celebration, the Valley Arts Alliance produced their fourth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2012
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their fifth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2013
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their sixth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2014
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their seventh annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2015
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their 8th annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2008
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. While officially “Colony Christmas” only lasts a weekend, the VAA would like to extend the celebration throughout the month of December. One way will be the exhibition of “Ice Castles on the Green” during December.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2009
December is the month for ICE CASTLES! During this month’s Colony Christmas celebration in Palmer, artists of the Valley Arts Alliance displayed a collection of ice sculptures on the GREEN, the area in Palmer located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2010
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. As part of the festivities, the Valley Arts Alliance presented their Third Annual “ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN”, which featured unique sculptures made of ice.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2011
Colony Christmas is an old fashioned three-day celebration of Christmas past and present in Palmer that features horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeer, gingerbread houses, holiday carolers, and a dazzling display of ice sculptures. As part of the celebration, the Valley Arts Alliance produced their fourth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2012
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their fifth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2013
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their sixth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2014
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their seventh annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2015
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their 8th annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2008
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. While officially “Colony Christmas” only lasts a weekend, the VAA would like to extend the celebration throughout the month of December. One way will be the exhibition of “Ice Castles on the Green” during December.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2009
December is the month for ICE CASTLES! During this month’s Colony Christmas celebration in Palmer, artists of the Valley Arts Alliance displayed a collection of ice sculptures on the GREEN, the area in Palmer located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2010
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. As part of the festivities, the Valley Arts Alliance presented their Third Annual “ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN”, which featured unique sculptures made of ice.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2011
Colony Christmas is an old fashioned three-day celebration of Christmas past and present in Palmer that features horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeer, gingerbread houses, holiday carolers, and a dazzling display of ice sculptures. As part of the celebration, the Valley Arts Alliance produced their fourth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2012
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their fifth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2013
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their sixth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2014
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their seventh annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2015
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their 8th annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2008
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. While officially “Colony Christmas” only lasts a weekend, the VAA would like to extend the celebration throughout the month of December. One way will be the exhibition of “Ice Castles on the Green” during December.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market. The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, is owned by Steve and DeLena Johnson of Palmer. They purchased the run-down Palmer Trading Post several years ago with the intention of totally restoring this building to it’s former glory.
The Dahlia Street Market was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s, and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve rescued it.
Every December, the VAA plans to display a collection of ice sculptures beside the Dahlia Street Market. VAA member Kathy Zeitz and other VAA members created these wonderful ice sculptures, and displayed many of them at the Dahlia Street Market during the winter of 2008–2009.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to make this another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2009
December is the month for ICE CASTLES! During this month’s Colony Christmas celebration in Palmer, artists of the Valley Arts Alliance displayed a collection of ice sculptures on the GREEN, the area in Palmer located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
Colony Christmas is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. Colony Christmas only lasts one weekend, but in an effort to extend the holiday celebration longer, the Valley Arts Alliance exhibit ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN runs most of the month of December.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in FDR’s New Deal Colony Project in 1935. It first served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, and in later years it became a civic center, recreation hall, shooting range, health care center, and finally a pharmacy. The building was abandoned in the 1980’s and was facing demolition until DeLena and Steve Johnson rescued it and restored it to its former glory.
On Saturday, December 12, a team of Valley Arts Alliance artists consisting of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Randy Robinson, Carmen Summerfield and many other Valley Arts Alliance members created these wonderful ice sculptures. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2010
“Colony Christmas” in Palmer is a well-loved old-fashioned Christmas celebration that features horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, gingerbread houses, and Christmas carolers. As part of the festivities, the Valley Arts Alliance presented their Third Annual “ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN”, which featured unique sculptures made of ice.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
The “Green” is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Colony Inn, and the Dahlia Street Market.
The Dahlia Street Market, located at 320 E. Dahlia Street, was originally built as a trading post in 1935, during FDR’s New Deal Colony Project, and in later years served as a US Post Office and dry goods store, a civic center, and finally a health care center. DeLena and Steve Johnson purchased this building and recently renovated it to it’s original glory!
Today, the Dahlia Street Market is the home of Palmer’s newest restaurant, “Rusty’s”. While artists of the Valley Arts Alliance, and many parents and children, constructed the sculptures of “Ice Castles on the Green”, “Rusty’s” was a nice place to warm up and enjoy a wonderful lunch or dinner!
The Valley Arts Alliance artists constructing these wonderful ice sculptures consisted of Kathy Zeitz, Nan Potts, Carmen Summerfield and many others, as well as numerous parents and children. As daylight turned to dusk, the Mat-Su Community Chorus treated everyone to a wonderful evening of caroling, both outside and, later, in Rusty’s dining room.
The Valley Arts Alliance plans to create the ICE CASTLES ON THE GREEN event beside the Dahlia Street Market every December, in the hopes that it will become another well-loved feature of Colony Christmas.
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2011
Colony Christmas is an old fashioned three-day celebration of Christmas past and present in Palmer that features horse-drawn sleigh rides, reindeer, gingerbread houses, holiday carolers, and a dazzling display of ice sculptures. As part of the celebration, the Valley Arts Alliance produced their fourth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
Ice Castles on the Green consists of unique winter sculptures created from blocks of ice by some of the Valley’s best artists…
Kathy Zeitz of Wasilla makes beautiful sculptures of ice in her winter gardens, using colored water that she freezes in unique moulds. Her work has been displayed at all previous Valley Arts Alliance Ice Castles on the Green events. Linda Lockhart in Big Lake also sculpts ice, and some of her ice gardens feature 17-foot illuminated sculpted angels. Les Brake in Willow fills his “Coyote Garden” with fanciful ice sculptures and wonderful blue ice pagodas.
These are but a few of the many artists in our Valley who will be creating wonderful ice sculptures this winter. The Valley Arts Alliance is always looking for other talented artists and individuals to help us create unique ice sculptures at our Ice Castles on the Green.
Also on Saturday, the Mat-Su Community Chorus was caroling at 4:30 and 6pm on the Green in the midst of our Ice Castles on the Green.
And in case you’re wondering about the location, the Green is the area in Palmer known as the “quad” or “square” located between the Borough Office, the Dahlia Street Market, and the Colony Inn.
The Dahlia Street Market was built in the mid-1930’s as the colony’s Trading Post and Post Office. Palmer’s Mayor DeLena Johnson and her husband Steve purchased the abandoned building a few years ago and restored it to glory. Now it hosts Palmer’s famous restaurant “Rusty’s” (where everyone was invited in for a “warm up” on Saturday afternoon during the Ice Castles on the Green).
The Colony Inn was the former residence for teachers who came north to Alaska with the original colonists in the mid-1930’s. It was restored several years ago by Janet Kincaid, and now serves as Palmer’s treasured Colony Inn, a quaint and charming hotel.
Palmer has a wonderful home-town appeal, and is truly Alaska at its best! So come join us next year when we create another wonderful Ice Castles on the Green!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2012
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their fifth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 8, 2012. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 150 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2013
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their sixth annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 14, 2013. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation.
We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid, but we created over 100 ice sheets, partly for spares, but also to create “baby” pyramids on the side on the main pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. This pyramid differs slightly from the glass pyramids at the Louvre, which are four-sided.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “Rusty’s Restaurant” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2014
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their seventh annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
"Ice Castles on the Green"
December 2015
The Valley Arts Alliance produced their 8th annual Ice Castles on the Green! event on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Ice Castles on the Green! consists of unique winter ice sculptures created by some of the Valley’s most innovative artists. Our centerpiece this year was an ice sculpture based on the glass pyramids at the Louvre in Paris. Here is how it came to be…
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
We created three steel frames, each in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a base of 10 feet, sized so they could be easily transported and assembled on site. Each steel frame was designed with supporting structure to hold 16 triangular sheets of ice.
To form the triangular sheets of ice, we made wooden molds, 30 inches at the base and one and a half inches thick, with tapered sides to make extraction easier. We coated the wooden mold with an epoxy resin for strength and waterproofing.
Over the course of the preceding months (when we had well-below freezing temperatures) we constantly filled these forms with water and extracted and stored the resulting ice sheets. These sheets had to be kept out of the wind, or they would disappear by sublimation. We needed 48 ice sheets to form our pyramid.
Once we transported all these materials to the back yard of the Dahlia Street Market in Palmer, we assembled a large three-sided pyramid. Then with the help of our other members who brought ice in many shapes and forms and colors, we assembled the scene.
We had a great time assembling this pyramid, and we want to send a special thanks to “The Palmer City Alehouse” in Palmer for letting us warm up inside, and for their delicious treats! Also a special thanks to DeLena and Steve Johnson for the use of the Dahlia Street Market’s back yard, and the Mat-Su Community Chorus for caroling in the midst of Ice Castles on the Green!
We’re planning another Ice Castles on the Green! next year, so bring your ice in any shape or form and join us!
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