This snow sculpture of fish was created in Patterson Park. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

fisherman's dream

Frozen artwork showcases lake trout emerging from waves

Mar 1, 2021 | 1:09 PM

A snow sculpture celebrating the beauty of northern Saskatchewan is the newest addition to Patterson Park.

Renowned Saskatoon-based snow artist Theressa Wright and her husband Terry Ouellette arrived in La Ronge on Friday to begin the artwork. It took the couple 18 hours each to create and they’ve given it the name Dream Catch. It showcases a trout emerging out of some waves.

“We looked up La Ronge a bit and we know we were situated in front of the lake and we hope people catch some big lake trout here,” Wright said. “We kind of heard that was the case, so that’s where the idea came from.”

With above zero temperatures expected this week, the sculpture will begin to lose some details due to the warm weather. Wright explained they built it bulkier to last longer, but the sun will eventually eat it away and the design will smooth out.

Dream Catch is the third sculpture the couple created this winter with one outside their home in Saskatoon and another in Yorkton. Wright hopes people take photos of the sculpture and pose in front of it with their families, but also to remember to respect the artwork.

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“It is fairly solid, but it isn’t built to be climbed on,” she said. “It is a piece of art, there are some delicate things. If I leaned on it while we were carving, it would break. If someone tried to climb it, it would break.”

Ouellette, who had never been to La Ronge before, said he’d like people to enjoy it as well.

“There are a lot of people who came by and, if they didn’t come up and say hello to us, they wait from their vehicles,” he said. “They honk, they gave us a thumbs up and that really is encouraging. When you are getting a little bit tired and cold and someone honks and waves, it’s a really nice touch.”

The creation of the snow sculpture was organized by the La Ronge Arts Council through a grant from the Community Initiative Fund. La Ronge town council assisted with the location, materials and equipment to make it a success.

Wright herself has created more than 50 sculptures and has travelled across Canada doing so. She’s won a number of competitions and has represented the country in places such as China, Italy and Sweden.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno