BRATTLEBORO, VT – Artists, ice fishing enthusiasts, and creative builders of all ages and experience levels are invited to participate in the 2025 Artful Ice Shanties outdoor exhibition, presented by the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) and Retreat Farm. This signature Vermont winter tradition runs from February 15–23, 2025, at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro, Vermont, and coincides with the town’s famed Harris Hill Ski Jump weekend.
Now in its fifth year, Artful Ice Shanties celebrates artistic ingenuity, New England’s rich ice-fishing heritage, and the creativity of the community. Shanties of all styles—traditional, whimsical, conceptual, and everything in between—are welcome, as long as they are artful. Admission to the exhibit is free, and it will be open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM.
How to Participate
- Registration Deadline: December 16, 2024
- Entry Fee: None!
- How to Register: Visit brattleboromuseum.org for registration forms and details.
- Note: Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Shanties may be built by individuals or groups, including families, friends, classmates, work colleagues, or any kind of team. Creativity knows no bounds—shanties can be functional, conceptual, permanent, or temporary, so long as they reflect artistry and imagination.
Awards and Recognition
The event culminates in an Awards Ceremony on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2 PM at Retreat Farm. A panel of local makers and fishing enthusiasts will award prizes to shanties that stand out as particularly artistic, inventive, fun, or thought-provoking.
A Beloved Vermont Tradition
Since its inception in 2021, Artful Ice Shanties has quickly become a favorite Brattleboro wintertime event, drawing thousands of visitors each year to marvel at 15–20 unique shanties. “We love how this event spotlights the delightful possibilities of winter in New England,” said Danny Lichtenfeld, Director of BMAC.
Past shanties have included:
- A vintage phone booth
- A shanty doubling as a working camera obscura
- A giant fish-shaped shanty
- A translucent shanty simulating the northern lights with recycled lenses
- A black die with moon-shaped dots
- A shanty built by elementary school students showcasing animals’ winter survival strategies
This diversity of designs speaks to the event’s mission of celebrating creativity, tradition, and the beauty of winter. Check out photos of past Artful Ice Shanties at brattleboromuseum.org.
About the Venues
Retreat Farm offers 500 acres of conserved forests, farmlands, trails, and waterways, located on traditional Abenaki homelands in Brattleboro, Vermont. This historic nonprofit is dedicated to fostering community and lifting up the agricultural, creative, and land-based businesses that make Vermont unique. Learn more at retreatfarm.org.
BMAC is located in historic Union Station in downtown Brattleboro. Founded in 1972, the museum presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings, and more. Admission is “pay as you wish,” and the museum is wheelchair accessible. Learn more at brattleboromuseum.org.
Event Details
- Exhibit Dates: February 15–23, 2025
- Awards Ceremony: Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2 PM
- Location: Retreat Farm, Brattleboro, VT
- Admission: Free
- Contact: brattleboromuseum.org | info@brattleboromuseum.org | (802) 257-0124
Sponsors
Artful Ice Shanties 2025 is generously supported by The Marina and Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors, with additional support from Brattleboro Savings & Loan, C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters.
