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An annual event featuring uniquely designed shanties — all on a frozen-over lake — starts this weekend. The 

 have been taking place since 2004, hosting performances and interactive experiences for attendees.  

“We’re very excited by the beautiful ice that’s out there. It’s absolutely gorgeous,” said Artistic Director Erin Lavelle.

“We are a mix of winter enthusiasts and winter curmudgeons ... [we] just want to be out there with the public on this temporary floating sheet of ice.”

This year features 20 projects, from puppet melodramas to daily dance parties at noon. 

 was delayed and then closed early due to warm conditions.

“We have a number of shanties who are returning this year from last year. They only had one weekend [last year]” Lavelle said.  

“Our [ice] measurement a couple of days ago was already 13 inches.” The Project’s threshold is 10 inches. “So that’s very exciting!”

New this year is a formalized mentorship program, where returning artists have been paired with new participants. The process began by having perspective shanty builders submit things they’d like to learn to make the projects successful.

“We selected four of those applicants and paired them with four returning artists ... we set it in motion with an initial conversation of what the artists want to learn and what skills can be shared. And then they've been off on their own, working together,” Lavelle said.

 can be seen on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis from Jan. 18 through Feb. 9. 

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The Art Shanty Projects, featuring 20 uniquely designed shanties with performances and interactive experiences, returns Jan. 18–Feb. 9, showcasing a new mentorship program and celebrating ideal ice conditions after last year's weather challenges.

Art Shanties return to Lake Harriet in Minneapolis

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