Friends   ---

Two main activities this week.  The World Ice Art Championships   ---

The ice art this week all started as a block this size (below.)  This is the single block competition.  The artists can cut the blocks any way they wish and rearrange the parts, but they can only use one of these blocks.  It appears that in some sculptures there is a line where pieces have been spliced.  The single block competition is finished.  The three-block competition is still underway.  We will have those pictures next week.  If you remember, a couple months ago we had pictures of another ice carving competition.  That was in the nearby town of North Pole.  This is in Fairbanks.  The work in this competition is, generally, far more intricate and delicate.

We know the man who did this one below.  It is the first one he has ever done.  I think it is very good for a beginner.  It is a native version of a raven.

We also went to a Native Arts Festival at University of Alaska Fairbanks.  They had Native clothing, arts, and crafts for sale.  They also had Native dancing.  We didn't buy anything but we took in some of the dance groups.  They often have some wisdom from elders.

The first group was high school girls.  They were just beginners and were teaching themselves.

The next group was led by an elder (below.)  The first thing they said about themselves was that they were drug and alcohol free.  This man said he was alcohol free for 21 years.

One thing I like about the Native dancing is that they include all ages.  They are also not sexual, but are cultural and tell stories.

As we were watching this group Elva suddenly exclaimed, "There's one of my students!"  He is a student where Elva volunteers.  Here he is helping his little cousin.

 Here he is dancing.  It appears he takes it very seriously.

 Here his friend has joined him.  The second boy is also one of Elva's students.

Each dance group ends with an "invitation dance" where anyone and everyone is invited to join the dancers for one song.  Here is a group with extras from the audience.

Thank you and may your week be filled with God's blessings.

Larry and Elva