Four of the frozen orbs created using balloons. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Fun with Ice

Local resident creates unique ice art

Jan 12, 2021 | 1:59 PM

A Prince Albert resident has put some unique ice art on display after being inspired by a friend from Regina that did the same.

Gwen Jones, who is now retired, said she needed a creative outlet because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s just a fun thing I thought to do because not being able to go anywhere it’s nice to have something creative to keep busy,” she said.

Jones has created art by freezing water and food colouring into shapes such as orbs and rectangle shaped monoliths that have only been up for a few days.

More of the ice pieces created using molds and plastic lining. (Ian Gustafson/paNOW Staff)

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Jones said she has more in the works, and some take up to three days to freeze in her backyard. The art is currently up in the High Noon Optimist Park.

“The orbs are made from balloons, I put food colouring and water in balloons and froze them. And the Monolith pieces I made [were] formed from cardboard and then [I] lined them with heavy plastic and let them freeze,” Jones explained adding the other art pieces are made from molds.

One design froze in a unique form because she said the plastic in the mold was wrinkled.

“It made a beautiful design at the top. You never know what you’re going to get. It’s quite magical sometimes,” Jones said.

Gwen Jones. (submitted photo/Gwen Jones)

She was surprised how difficult it was to work with ice such as how long it takes to freeze, and how hard it is to come out with a specific shape and size.

“I’m experimenting right now and getting to know a lot about how it works so the second time around I think I’ll have more control about better able to make the things I want, and I want to scale up a bit,” she said.

She added to those who are interested in working with ice, it’s important to have a form that won’t leak. It’s imperative to line it with plastic or metal but said the first step is to just get started and experiment. It took a lot of trial and error.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow