Winter is often seen as a season of cold and gray, but for these creative minds, a fresh snowfall is the ultimate blank canvas.
From clever sidewalk interventions to massive figures that stop traffic, these creators prove that a bit of freezing weather is the only spark needed for a brilliant idea. We have curated 11 of the most creative and surprising ways people have played with snow and ice this season to transform their neighborhoods into temporary art galleries.
More: Fun With Snow (8 Photos)
🦇 1. Batman of Boston by George Li
In the heart of Boston’s Chinatown, George Li turned a massive pile of street snow into the Dark Knight. Standing tall among the parked cars, this icy guardian proves that even a blizzard can have its own hero. It is a fantastic example of using the gritty, urban elements of winter to create something iconic that makes locals stop and stare at the slushy sidewalk.
🤘 2. Punk’s Not Dead
Nature and freezing temperatures joined forces to give this vehicle a radical makeover. This row of jagged icicles forming a massive mohawk across the roof is the perfect example of accidental street art. It looks exactly like it belongs on the cover of a classic rock album and gives the cold weather a rebellious edge.
🐻 3. A Warm Bear Hug
Someone turned a local tree into a giant, lovable teddy bear. This snow sculpture of a massive bear clinging to the trunk is a charming way to make a walk through the park feel like a scene from a winter fairytale. It captures a beautiful moment of frozen affection in the middle of a cold day.
🏮 4. The Moomin Midwinter
Inspired by Tove Jansson’s beloved stories, these snow figures truly come to life when the sun goes down. By placing lights inside the sculptures, the artist turned a dark field into a glowing gathering of mysterious creatures that feel both magical and slightly eerie in the best possible way.
🎨 5. Snow-na Lisa
There is no need to travel to the Louvre when a masterpiece like this appears on the ground. A talented artist used the snow-covered pavement as a canvas to recreate the world’s most famous portrait. It is a great reminder that fine art can happen anywhere, even under your boots on a snowy sidewalk.
🐈 6. The Snowcat Stencil
Sometimes the simplest ideas have the biggest impact. By clearing just enough snow to create the silhouette of a massive, playful cat on the street, this artist gave the entire neighborhood a giant feline friend to look down on from their windows.
🛒 7. Snow-woman and the Kids
This creative display moves far beyond the traditional three-circle snowman. Featuring a “snow-woman” pushing a wheelbarrow full of tiny snow-babies, this artist turned their backyard into a funny and relatable family scene that easily beats any standard holiday decoration.
🚓 8. Police Cars with Personality
The local precinct joined the winter fun, whether they intended to or not. Someone used the snow-covered windshields as a medium to draw various expressive faces on the fleet, turning a serious row of police vehicles into a cast of animated characters with very different moods.
🖍️ 9. A Lesson in Snow by David Zinn
David Zinn brings his signature whimsy to the freezing sidewalk. “Here in the north, it is crucially important to learn the difference between snowflakes and salt,” he says of his small character navigating the winter ground. This tiny, heart-warming detail is a perfect reminder to look closer at the world around us. More: Made You Smile (12 Photos of Art by David Zinn)
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🐾 10. The Cat Army
Why settle for one snowman when you can build an entire battalion of cats. This garden has been completely taken over by a crowd of tiny, wide-eyed snow kittens. Each one has its own little tail and personality, creating a winter scene that is almost too cute to melt.
🕊️ 11. “I’m Not Mad At You” by Harry Welty
This snow sculpture by Harry Welty in Duluth is a memorial for Renee Nicole Good, who was tragically killed in Minneapolis earlier this month. The sign on the snow-car features her own words: “I’m not mad at you.”
More: Fun With Snow Sculptures (10 Photos)
