The snow will be flying Jan. 19-22 at Geneva Commons as professional and student teams transform blocks of snow into works of art.

Now in its third year, the Sno Sculpting event, sponsored by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission showcases the creative skills of highschool students and artists. It is held in the parking lot outside Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Last year’s warm weather presented a challenge for the teams, but didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of visitors or artists, said event chair Jan Ostler. Preparations for this community event will begin Jan. 19 as Raging Buffalo fills the air withfresh falling snow.

On Jan. 20, V.I.P. Property Management will put their front loaders into action to fill thesculptors molds, as the teams pack them into forms. Joe Gagnepain, Marcus Mason, Ed Pineda Ben O'Brien will each captain an adult snowsculpting team.

In 2009 and 2010 Sno Sculpting competitions, the team led by Gagnepain took first place in the adult division. Three high school teams from Batavia, Kaneland and Marmion also will participate in the student portion of the competition.

“Snow sculptures bring a sense of wonder and enjoyment to young and old,” Gagnepain said. “The works are wonderful to view finished or in process. You can watch the artist work, ask questions and see our tools in action.”

Sculpting will continue until noon Jan. 22. The public is invited to observe the artists in action and to vote for their favorite creation. Voting for the People’s Choice award will take placefrom noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22. In addition, visitors will receive gift bags packed with merchant discounts and give-aways.

Snow sculpting benefits everyone, Gagnepain noted—spectators, the city, localmerchants, and the creative carvers. “It was so much fun last year, working with the other artists,volunteers, organizers; we were a big happy snow family,” he said.

An awards ceremony will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 22, in Geneva Commons, and the winners will be announced. Volunteers are needed to assist with packing snow into molds on Jan. 20, and to staff thesnow house and warming house from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 19-21 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 22.

“Come watch us work, and take snow sculpting techniques home to your family and have fun with the resource that’s plentiful in winter,” Gagnepain said.

For more information on this event, visit genevarts.org call (630) 938-4530.