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 Meet Heather Friedli: The Creative Force Behind the 2025 Winter Carnival Buttons

Step into the vibrant world of Heather Friedli, a contemporary impressionist artist whose work is as diverse as her rich heritage. With roots steeped in Anishinaabe, Mexican, and American cultures, Heather captures the essence of the land around her in breathtaking oil paintings and stunning snow sculptures. Her artistic journey—dubbed her “Artventures”—takes her deep into the heart of the country’s parks and natural wonders, where she finds inspiration in the bold strokes and brilliant colors of cloudscapes, shimmering waters, and the native flora and fauna that grace our landscapes.
For over 15 years, Heather has been a professional snow sculptor, mesmerizing audiences with her ability to transform snow into magnificent works of art. A familiar face at the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, she has dedicated 13 of those years to delighting crowds at the Vulcan Snow Park, where her team brings to life the enchanting stories of Minnesota’s natural world. Heather’s impressive accolades include winning the Minnesota State Snow Sculpting Championship in 2016 and taking home the gold at the National Snow Sculpting Championship in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in 2019 with her team, Team Dino Fight. Not to mention her stunning second-place finish at Disney’s “Best In Snow” competition in February 2022!
What sets Heather apart is her unique approach to snow sculpting, which transcends traditional artistry. Each piece is not just a sculpture but a kinesthetic experience that invites audiences to witness the physicality and passion involved in the creative process. As she shapes the snow, she channels both her immediate environment and the rich tapestry of her family’s history, turning each sculpture into a powerful performance art piece. Her team, Team Kwe, has been recognized as the only all-women Indigenous snow sculpting team in the US.
Born in Los Angeles, California in 1982, Heather graduated with a degree in Fibers & Textiles from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2005. A transformative thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2010 sparked a newfound inspiration, leading her to create captivating works that weave together the threads of her Odawa and Mexican heritages within dreamlike landscapes. Now residing in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Heather continues to explore the great outdoors, embarking on Artventures with her family and solo, all while running the beloved Friedli Gallery on West 7th in Downtown Saint Paul.
Join us in celebrating Heather Friedli, a dynamic artist whose work not only illuminates the 2025 Saint Paul Winter Carnival, but also invites us to explore the beauty and spirit of nature through her eyes!
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Thanks to the Union Depot for hosting our 2025 Public Button Reveal Event on December 7th, 2024 at 5pm.

Buttons are on sale starting on December 7th.

Purchase your 2025 buttons online or at a participating retail locations.

Retail Button Locations

Buy your button at Cub Foods and Blaze Credit Union !

To register for the NEW Fun Pass and prizes, go to www.visitsaintpaul.com 

Check out our list of small business sellers too!

* This 2025 Saint Paul Winter Carnival Button no longer qualifies you for the annual Saint Paul Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt. That is a separate Hunt from the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

2025 Winter Carnival Fun Pass, Presented by Visit Saint Paul & the Downtown Alliance 

Visit Saint Paul and Saint Paul Downtown Alliance are launching a free, mobile-exclusive savings pass in partnership with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. The pass will be a key component of Winter Carnival’s popular button program and we’d love for your business to be part of it!

Sign up here to be included in the Winter Carnival Fun Pass promotion – December 2, 2024 through February 29, 2025.

  • The pass is available with each Winter Carnival button, a favorite collectible for many devoted Carnival fans with 15,000+ buttons produced and distributed annually across the Twin Cities.
  • Sponsorship includes your business offer promoted to button holders, encouraging thousands of festival visitors to support your business!
  • 100% of your sponsorship goes to the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, proud producers of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, to create entertaining events to bring people to Saint Paul. Thank you for your participation!
Once your sponsorship is submitted, representatives from Bandwango (merchants@bandwango.com) will contact you to set up your offer.

Thank you in advance for your partnership in promoting winter visits to Saint Paul!

 

Small Business Sellers

Interested in selling buttons at your small business? Fill out our forms:

2025 Button Sellers Letter

2025 Button Order Form

2025 Button Sellers FAQS

2025 Button Program Info

Request More Buttons

Are you one of our locations selling buttons, just fill out this form to request additional buttons!

Request Buttons Form 

Thank You Sponsors!

         

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