Tom Klug is a longtime Saint Paul Winter Carnival ice carver but more importantly, he’s a parent whose child spent time as a patient at Children’s Minnesota’s hospital in Saint Paul. 

He’s seen the challenges patients and their families can experience in the hospital. Always looking for a way to put a smile on kids’ faces, Tom’s son inspired the idea for a new way to bring joy to kids in the hospital. In 2022, Tom received a drawing of a pirate ship from his son with a request to turn it into an ice sculpture.  

Through this process, Tom got the inspiration to ask patients at Children’s Minnesota to create drawings that he and his fellow ice carvers will transform into works of frozen art at this year’s Saint Paul Winter Carnival on Monday, January 29 at Rice Park.

“We as ice carvers have the ability to provide these kids a creative outlet and moments of distraction during their time in the hospital,” says Tom. “We can’t wait to see the smiles on their faces when they see their very own Winter Carnival ice sculpture.” 

“We are thrilled to see our patients’ beautiful and creative artwork transform into these spectacular ice sculptures at the St. Paul Winter Carnival,” said Carol Allesee, coordinator of the Healing Arts Therapy Program at Children’s Minnesota. “Seeing the joy on our patients’ faces when they see their artwork come to life will be an unforgettable experience.” 

These ice carvings are once again made possible by a generous donation by APi Group.