Eagle: Bison Run’s 2025 Snow Sculpture

Winter in Winnipeg provides the perfect canvas for creativity, and this year, Bison Run’s community spirit is soaring to new heights. Inspired by our ongoing partnership with Festival du Voyageur, Qualico Communities is proud to unveil Bison Run’s first-ever snow sculpture: an eagle, designed by Leland, a Grade 6 student at Bison Run School.

A symbol of strength and freedom, the eagle was conceptualized by Leland from Ksenia Khomenko’s Grade 6 class. His design was selected following snow sculpting workshops led by renowned artists David MacNair and Gary Tessier, who also worked with Caterina Romeo-Mzakar’s Grade 6 class during their visit to the school.

Sculpting the Eagle: A Creative Process

The creative process began with hands-on workshops where students learned the fundamentals of snow sculpting. Using grid paper, they sketched their ideas while exploring perspective and dimension. To refine their concepts, they built small-scale models out of plasticine, bringing their designs to life in miniature form.

“The enthusiasm and creativity of the students were contagious,” says MacNair. “Their designs weren’t just imaginative—they were thoughtful and full of personality. It’s always rewarding to see young minds engage so wholeheartedly in the process.”

After Leland’s eagle design was selected, MacNair, Tessier, and their longtime collaborator Jacques Boulet worked together to translate his vision into a large-scale snow sculpture. Snow sculpting is a labour-intensive art form, requiring skill, patience, and teamwork. This masterpiece took 24 hours of carving, shaping, and polishing to complete.

“Sculpting snow is a unique challenge,” explains MacNair. “It’s all about removing what doesn’t belong to reveal the beauty within. Every block of snow holds endless possibilities.”

Where to Find the Eagle

The eagle snow sculpture is located at the traffic circle at Frontier Trail and Joe Keeper Way. Once completed, students from Bison Run School had the chance to visit the site, witnessing firsthand how their classmate’s design was transformed into a stunning work of public art—just a short walk from their school.

Inspiring Creativity and Community

The addition of a snow sculpture to Bison Run is a testament to this growing community. It showcases the power of collaboration, bringing together students, educators, and artists to celebrate creativity.

“We hope this snow sculpture inspires everyone who sees it to embrace their own creativity,” says MacNair. “Whether it’s building a snowman or sketching a new design, there’s something magical about creating art in the winter.”

See the Eagle Before It Melts!

The eagle snow sculpture is now on display—bundle up and visit this magnificent creation before the spring thaw takes it away. And don’t forget your camera!

From Leland’s vision to the skilled hands of MacNair, Tessier, and Boulet, the eagle is more than just a snow sculpture. It’s a symbol of community, creativity, and the limitless possibilities of winter in Winnipeg.

 Story first published on: Bison Run Community Blog