Saskatoon ice sculptor creates magical holiday scene

When some people think of snow and ice, it sends shivers up their spine, but it gets Saskatoon's Don Greer excited.

As an ice sculptor, the dropping temperatures mean that he can get to work on his latest holiday project in front of the Resurrection Lutheran Church on Lenore Drive.

This year is probably the biggest project yet with a church, family, and nativity scene all made of ice.

"It's a church scene set in an earlier on period of time," Greer said on CBC's Saskatoon Morning Thursday. "It was inspired by rural Saskatchewan."

It's like the northern lights — they flicker and they go away.- Don Greer, ice sculptor.

Each piece starts with a frame and chicken wire. When it gets cold enough, Greer starts to spray it with a mist to build up layers about an inch thick. He carves all of the details using a chisel.

The whole process outdoors can take over 30 hours.

Greer has been sculpting more elaborate art pieces since he began the craft in high school in 1969. About 15 years ago, the pastor of the church he frequents with his wife learned about his talent and asked him to create a sculpture for their lawn.

Greer said that he hopes the sculptors last at least a few months, but he adds that it's their short life that makes them special.

"It's not like other artwork. It disappears," he said. "It's like the northern lights — they flicker and they go away."