Popular Ice Follies winter art festival returning in February in North Bay
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.
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. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
"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.
"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.
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. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
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. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)
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.
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
"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 Olmstead Beach on Trout Lake to bring the festival closer to more city’s residents.
Festival highlights:
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.
"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.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Curler Briane Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
Harm reduction advocates hope high court will 'clarify' Canada's 'Good Samaritan' law
Canada's Good Samaritan law, which is meant to shield people from arrest after they seek help for someone in medical distress, is under spotlight in the Supreme Court of Canada.
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
Why is Spain considering a 100 per cent tax on homes bought by non-EU residents?
Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties bought by non-European Union residents.
Calgary homeowner faces challenge after property assessment jumps 60%
Stan Valant, a long-time resident of Calgary's Silver Springs, is baffled by the city's recent assessment of his bi-level home.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant group were at the "closest point" yet to sealing a deal that would bring them a step closer to ending the war.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, visits hospital where she had cancer treatment
Kate, Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.
Barrie
-
Muskoka could get up to 60 cm of snow
Northern areas of central Ontario could see up to 60 centimetres of snow today.
-
School bus cancellations across central Ontario
Several school boards have cancelled school transportation in areas expected to feel the worst of the snowstorm.
-
Another historical sexual assault charge laid against Beeton, Ont. man
A Beeton man is facing another count of sexual assault following an investigation by provincial police.
Toronto
-
'It's not going to be good': Ford says Trump's tariffs could cost Ontario 500,000 jobs
Premier Doug Ford says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs on Canadian goods could result in the loss of 500,000 jobs in Ontario, creating the need for billions of dollars in stimulus spending.
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Man allegedly posed as investment broker, contractor to defraud victims: Toronto police
Toronto police say an arrest has been made after a man allegedly posed as both an investment broker and contractor to defraud multiple victims.
Ottawa
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
-
Lack of chargers a top concern for EV owners, but most would still buy another: CAA
A new survey of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) owners suggests that a lack of accessible charging stations is their main concern, but most would still buy another when the time comes.
-
Highway 17 closed between Pembroke and Cobden following Tuesday morning fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police say emergency crews responded to a collision on the highway between County Road 24/White Water Road in Pembroke and Main Street in Cobden before 4 a.m.
Kitchener
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
WRPS investigating 'serious' 2-vehicle collision in Cambridge, charges anticipated
Police say they were called to the area of Blair Road and Langdon Drive around 9:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a collision between a white Volkswagen and an orange Dodge.
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
London
-
Convicted field party killer pleads guilty to weapons charge
The 23-year-old man convicted in the bush party shooting of a teenager was back in court again on Monday, this time pleading guilty to a weapons offence.
-
Grieving mother hopes to implement Life Jacket Loaner program in Elgin County
Ryan Davies and his friends were out for an early morning fishing trip in the man-made lake when the canoe tipped over. Two people were rescued, but Davies, 26, never resurfaced.
-
Jury shown police interview with accused charged in death of her mother
The jury at the manslaughter trial of a London woman charged in connection with the death of her mother in July of 2021, viewed forensic photos of the accused and a police interview conducted just hours after the incident.
Windsor
-
Vigil shines light on 26-year-old’s disappearance
Co-workers and customers gathered outside the workplace of a missing 26-year-old woman Monday evening to bring light to her disappearance.
-
Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line completed a head of schedule
The Ontario government and Hydro One announced on Monday that the construction on the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line had been completed one year ahead of schedule.
-
Class action lawsuit nears $7.3 million settlement for Westcourt Place tenants
A class action lawsuit filed by Windsor law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP is nearing the finish line and a $7.3 million payout for its members following a fire that has left the Wescourt Place highrise vacant for more than five years.
Montreal
-
Raccoon with rabies identified in Quebec’s Eastern Townships
After several cases were detected in Vermont, Quebec has now identified a case of raccoon rabies near the U.S. border.
-
Major crash in St-Hubert leaves teen in critical condition
Longueuil police (SPAL) are investigating after a collision left a young man in critical in the Saint-Hubert borough on Monday night.
-
Woman stabbed in Montreal's Plateau, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the Plateau.
Winnipeg
-
Curler Harris not at fault for anti-doping rule violation, provisional ban lifted
Canadian curler Briane Harris is eligible to return to the sport after an absence of nearly one year.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Winnipeg looking at acquiring Lemay Forest
The City of Winnipeg is looking into the possibility of acquiring Lemay Forest.
Atlantic
-
Lower Sackville man shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
-
Friend of fatally stabbed Halifax teen changes his testimony in youth court
The trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the fatal stabbing last year of a 16-year-old student heard Monday from one of the victim's close friends.
N.L.
-
Heavy equipment used to bash into a Newfoundland bank for second time in a month
Police in eastern Newfoundland say that for the second time in less than a month thieves have used heavy equipment to smash into a bank and steal an ATM.
-
Yvonne Jones, longtime Liberal MP for Labrador, retiring from federal politics
Liberal MP Yvonne Jones speaks to reporters before a meeting of the Liberal women's caucus, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jones announced this morning that she will not be running in the next federal election for her seat in Labrador. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
Calgary
-
Public hearing for Grassy Mountain coal mine resumes
A public hearing for the controversial Grassy Mountain coal mining project will resume in Calgary on Tuesday.
-
Calgary councillor won't seek re-election in October
Evan Spencer, councillor for Calgary's Ward 12, will not be running for re-election later this year.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Temperatures to remain above freezing for most of the next 3 days
Strong westerly flow across Alberta will push temperatures well above seasonal for Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in the south.
Edmonton
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Josh Classen's forecast: Warm for now, turning stormy Thursday
The warm spell continues for today and Wednesday with afternoon temperatures a handful of degrees above zero.
-
Firefighters deploy widely as strong winds threaten more Los Angeles neighbourhoods
Weary and anxious from a week of massive infernos burning around Los Angeles and now facing dire new warnings, residents gathered up their pets and family photos and prepared to flee at a moment's notice as fire-fuelling winds blasted Tuesday across Southern California.
Regina
-
Saskatchewan Marshals Service interviewing Mounties for positions before launching
Saskatchewan's new provincial police force has begun interviewing Mounties as it prepares to launch this year, a move critics say highlights concerns of job poaching.
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
Saskatoon
-
'Don't trust it': Saskatoon woman warns of potential scammers on Facebook Marketplace
A Saskatoon woman is warning others to use caution when doing business on buy and sell websites, after she was the target of a scammer.
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Saskatchewan Marshals Service interviewing Mounties for positions before launching
Saskatchewan's new provincial police force has begun interviewing Mounties as it prepares to launch this year, a move critics say highlights concerns of job poaching.
Vancouver
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
'No stone will be left unturned’ B.C. assembles team to fight Trump tariffs
The provincial government is assembling a group of business and labour leaders to strategize the best way to deal with looming tariffs threats from president-elect Donald Trump.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Vancouver Island
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
Poilievre visits B.C. as poll shows Conservative support growing in the province
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a weeklong tour of British Columbia on Monday, where recent polling suggests support for his party continues to grow.
