Popular Ice Follies winter art festival returning in February to Lake Nipissing

Northern Ontario’s festival of contemporary and community art known as ‘Ice Follies’ is returning to Lake Nipissing next month.

Northern Ontario’s premier biennial festival of contemporary and community art known as ‘Ice Follies’ is returning to the frozen shores of Lake Nipissing next month.

In February, when you take a walk along the ice-covered Shabogesic Beach shore, you’ll trudge right into the popular art display.

“We are focusing on local and regional artists because of North Bay’s centennial,” said Sharon Switzer, the Near North Media Lab’s executive director.

The festival runs Feb.7-21, with 10 different outdoor art projects that can be viewed day or night.

Ice Follies was founded in 2004. Every two years, artists create and install contemporary work on the frozen lake, turning the shore into a dynamic gallery.

The festival aims to showcase the region’s culture and artistic talent that reflects northern Ontario’s unique environmental identity.

• Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
• Want more local news? Check out the North Bay page

“People down south don’t really have that relationship to frozen lakes. The idea of being able to walk on a lake,” Switzer said.

Under the theme The Ice is Slippery (Ozhaashikwaa), this year’s festival will reflect on the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the shifting landscapes of community and environment.

“It’s embracing the blank canvas aspect of Lake Nipissing and really looking at it from that perspective,” Tourism North Bay executive director Tanya Bedard said.

The Ice Follies festival always attracts out-of-town visitors and guests because of its unique location.

“We have such a tremendous arts culture you know. Yes, of course, there are residents and other artists that come in from outside of the area,” Bedard added.

“There are renowned Canadian artists that have come in to participate in years past.”

This year marks the 11th edition of the festival. New this year, Ice Follies is going to expand its footprint to Olms

tead Beach on Trout Lake to bring the festival closer to more city’s residents.

Festival highlights include:

Opening night performance by Aanmitaagzi (Feb. 7): A powerful community event to kick off the festival at Shabogesic Beach.

Family Day activities on Shabogesic Beach (Feb. 17): free community engagement for all ages.

Listening party events (Feb. 15-16): hosted at Olmstead Beach on Trout Lake, these intimate evening gatherings will feature sound-based art and storytelling, creating a unique and immersive festival experience.

• Download the CTV News app now
• Get local breaking news alerts

“The longtime photographer for the festival is showing at the WKP Kennedy Gallery. So that’s in town, showing 10 years of photographs,” Switzer said.

Artists are hoping the themes of connection, collaboration, and history will resonate through a uniquely northern Ontario perspective.

As always, Ice Follies is free to attend and open 24/7. To learn more about the festival, click here.