Ice mosaics bring the heat in Middleboro
Michael Howe and Therese Jarmusik pose in front of a hockey ice mosaic. Photos by Mari Huglin
A large mammoth overtakes a human. 
Two wolves are on the prowl in this scene. 
A multi-tailed husky is illuminated at the event.
Krystal Rebelo and Aria Mendem take a selfie. 
A yeti is depicted in this ice art.
A viking ship rides the waves. 
A sabertooth tiger is bright on a cold, winter day.
Friends smile for a photo at the event.
A large dragon mosaic is 16 feet in length.
A snowy scene is on this mosaic. 
People waited in line for food trucks. 
A couple poses as they make and eat smores.
Folks gathered around multiple fire pits throughout the art installation.
Michael Howe and Therese Jarmusik pose in front of a hockey ice mosaic. Photos by Mari Huglin
A large mammoth overtakes a human.
Two wolves are on the prowl in this scene.
A multi-tailed husky is illuminated at the event.
Krystal Rebelo and Aria Mendem take a selfie.
A yeti is depicted in this ice art.
A viking ship rides the waves.
A sabertooth tiger is bright on a cold, winter day.
Friends smile for a photo at the event.
A large dragon mosaic is 16 feet in length.
A snowy scene is on this mosaic.
People waited in line for food trucks.
A couple poses as they make and eat smores.
Folks gathered around multiple fire pits throughout the art installation.
MIDDLEBORO — A cold New England night couldn’t stop residents from across the South Coast from gathering around campfires, toasting marshmallows and walking through ice art.
Over 100 people gathered at the KOA Campgrounds to peruse mosaics made of ice and watch dancers play with fire Friday, Jan. 23.
Daniel Smith, marketing and creative director of Rhode Island-based entertainment company Ice Mosaics, said the event began last year as a way to get people to enjoy and celebrate winter, especially after the holidays.
“It's all about creating an excuse for everyone to come out after the holidays,” Smith said.
Smith and his team design and plan each mosaic and create a mold of it. They then fill it with dyed water while in a refrigerated truck. Once frozen, they transport the art to wherever their next show is.
If the pieces warm up and melt, the team replaces each with a new mosaic. At each show — even on the same day — the team replaces most of the mosaics with new art, making each show unique.
“If you show up both nights, you see a lot more art than if you show up for just one,” Smith said. “It's not the same show twice.”
Mosaics range from 4-by-4 feet to 4-by-16 feet. The mosaics are created by sticking multiple segments together, each weighing about 40 pounds.
The company hosts shows across New England, and Smith said he loves engaging communities. He said he feels rewarded when so many people enjoy the event.
“Community is the lifeblood of all of our events,” he said.
Krystal Rebelo and her niece Aria Mendem, of Taunton, came to the event to celebrate Aria’s ninth birthday. They were both excited to look at the art and dance along to the music.
Aria said her favorite part was the food and thought the event was “very cool.”
Even though it was cold, the duo were excited to get outside.
“We're New England girls. We gotta get out,” Rebelo said.
Michael Howe and Therese Jarmusik saw the event on Facebook and thought it would be a fun event to get them outside in the winter.
“There's not much to do in the winter and this does kind of bring people together. It gets them out,” Howe said.
Howe and Jarmusik said they were excited to spend time around the fire and see the mosaics.
Their favorites included one of a husky and another depicting a hockey mask and two hockey sticks.
“[The mosaics are] really cool,” Howe said. “The darker it gets, the better they're looking.”
