MINNEAPOLIS — The chilly temperatures on Saturday didn’t deter thousands from venturing out onto a frozen Lake Harriet for the annual Art Shanty Projects. Despite the cold, attendees explored various art installations, forming new connections while seeking warmth during this unique winter event.
This event, which spans four weekends, features interactive art experiences often infused with a playful twist. The installations are creatively housed within or near shanties, structures reminiscent of those that ice fisherpeople use during the harsh Minnesota winters.
According to Erin Lavelle, the artistic director of the organization behind the event, Minnesotans have a deep attachment to their lakes, embracing them as public realms for enjoyment, even when temperatures plunge. She highlighted how residents partake in diverse winter activities, such as biking, skiing, and ice fishing, equating these practices with the art experiences on the frozen water.
Over the past two decades, the Art Shanty Projects have occasionally faced cancellation due to unseasonably warm winters, but never due to extreme cold. This particular weekend saw the temperatures remaining in the single digits, which contributed to the lake freezing to a depth exceeding 13 inches, adequate to support the event’s many visitors.
This year’s offerings include a wide array of imaginative and engaging displays, such as a knitting pavilion where attendees can create woven artworks using hand-dyed yarn. Other attractions include a whimsical three-ring circus featuring music, poetry, and clown performances, a whimsical Cat World that invites people to embrace their feline side, and a lively “Disco Inferno Hot Box” for dancing. Additionally, there’s a film studio where participants can craft their own short films.
Other activities enrich the experience, including theater performances, ice biking, and opportunities for open-air painting. Despite the majority of Minnesotans being well-acquainted with outdoor winter adventures, Lavelle noted that for 10% to 25% of the approximately 25,000 attendees, this was their first time engaging on a frozen lake.
“The essence of this event is to foster connections among friends and strangers,” Lavelle stated. “We aim to create a welcoming environment where the public can feel involved and part of something larger during the winter season.”
