MOODY GARDENS WELCOMES WORLD-RENOWNED CHINESE ICE CARVERS TO GALVESTON FOR NEWLY THEMED ICE LAND
GALVESTON, Texas– After traveling halfway around the world, the Chinese ice carvers made their way to Galveston’s Moody Gardens to break out chainsaws and ice picks as well as new ground with the creation of this year’sICE LAND: Ice Sculptures, A Caribbean Christmas. These internationally-acclaimed members of the CAA Harbin Ruijing Carving Teamare the sole sculptors of the only ice sculpture exhibition on the Gulf Coast set to open Nov. 12 at Moody Gardens with a brand new signature theme.
The signature new theme breaks new ground as the first to feature subject matter that is iconic to its destination. This team of 32 artists will sculpt seemingly ordinary 300-pound blocks of colored ice into towering and majestic works of art featuring the Moody Gardens pyramids, beautiful coral reefs, marine animals and much more. This work is done within a 28,000 sq. ft. insulated tent structure located on the property that will be held at a temperature of nine degrees throughout the holiday season. The team will work diligently over the next 45 days to bring this unique walk-through holiday attraction to life. The team is led by chief ice and snow carving artist Mr. Qui Guanghui, who has received top honors in numerous international tournaments including the Harbin International Ice and Snow Carving and the Chinese National Ice Carving Competition
“My team is very much looking forward to working on this new project,” said Mr. Guanghui, who added that the new theme and design for 2016 is unlike anything the team has done before. “The combination of the ocean, marine life and large structures such as the Oil Rig Ice Slide offers a wonderful artistic challenge for us this year. We are very excited to get started.”
In its first two years, ICE LAND attractedlarge crowds, but this year’s brand-new story will give guests the opportunity to experience Galveston Island like never before. Guests will embark on a breathtaking underwater journey from the Galveston shores through the Gulf of Mexico. As they explore the oceans depths, they will discover sunken treasures and see Christmas surprises along the way. An ice slide takes the form of a towering oil rig and gives an opportunity to venture through the beautiful Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary for encounters with spectacular schools of colorful tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, hammerhead sharks and more on the way to their Caribbean island destination. There is even an opportunity to enjoy some festive holiday spirits at the new Shiver’s Ice Bar inside of ICE LAND.
ICE LAND offers a unique holiday experience for the entire family and will be open through Jan. 8. Admission to the exhibit is $26.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors and $15.95 for children. A Value Days discount of $5.00 is available Sunday through Thursday Nov. 15 – Dec. 17, excluding Thanksgiving Day. Other holiday attractions include Festival of Lights, holiday 3D and 4D films, ice skating, Arctic Slide, Cirque Joyeux Noel Dinner and Show and the Holiday Gift Market.
For more information, please call 800-582-4673 or visit moodygardens.org.
Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.
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