IOWA | Block #12
Team Name: The Driftless Snow Sculptors
Sculpture Title: Survival
Artist Statement: The sturdy sturgeon has been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth. Their ancestors survived the Great Permian Extinction that killed nine out of every 10 marine species. For more than 120 million years the sturgeon has adapted to changes in its environment. Changes for which it was not responsible nor able to control. Humans have been here for a mere 6 million years. Relative newcomers to the planet. The sturgeon and all other forms of life now share their home with the new kids on the block.
In a fraction of the life of our planet, humans have done it great harm. Can these sturgeon adapt to the environmental changes for which humans are responsible? Will they survive the modern man-made so-called “Sixth Extinction” event? The sturdy sturgeon has been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth. Their ancestors survived the Great Permian Extinction that killed nine out of every 10 marine species.
For more than 120 million years the sturgeon has adapted to changes in its environment. Changes for which it was not responsible for nor able to control. Humans have been here for a mere 6 million years. Relative newcomers to the planet. The sturgeon and all other forms of life now share their home with the new kids on the block.
Can these sturgeon adapt to the environmental changes for which humans are responsible? Will they survive the modern man-made so-called “Sixth Extinction” event?
Team Members:
- Hugh McCarron (Captain) - I have been sculpting at the U.S. Nationals in Geneva every year since 2010. Our team has placed in the People's Choice Award. Since 2018 I have competed yearly in the Iowa State Snow Sculpting Competition and our team was awarded First Place four times. I first became involved in snow sculpting while volunteering as a blacksmith at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque. I was asked by a snow sculptor if I would like to join his team. My other hobbies and interests include hiking, travel, watercolor painting, collecting agates, and collecting historic information on lead and zinc mining in the tri-state area.
- Wayne McDermott - I have lived in the Tri-State (driftless) region my whole life. Raised in Galena, Illinois, “educated” in Wisconsin, and worked and raised a family in Dubuque, Iowa. I’ve worked at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium as an exhibits technician pretty much since college (a long time ago). I enjoy sculptural woodworking and being creative in many ways. I like hiking, kayaking, traveling, and new experiences. And playing in the snow!
- Jeremy Rudd - Sculptor from Petersburg, Iowa Bachelor of Fine Arts, Iowa State University Master of Fine Arts, Sculpture, University of Massachusetts Snow carving at Iowa State Competition 2018-present Snow carving at U.S. Nationals in Lake Geneva five times.
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