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.
Purchase your 2025 buttons online here or at a participating retail locations.
Retail Button Locations
To register for the NEW Fun Pass and prizes, go to www.visitsaintpaul.com
Check out our list of small business sellers too!
- Alary’s Bar & BBQ, 139 E. 7th Street – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Bright Corner Gift Shop (Regions Hospital) 640 Jackson Street – St. Paul, MN 55101
- Camp Bar, 490 Robert Street N. – St. Paul, MN 55101
- CandyLand 435 N. Wabasha Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
- City & County Credit Union 1661 Cope Ave E. – Maplewood, MN 55109
- Honest-1 Auto, 3114 Lexington Ave. N. – Roseville, MN 55113
- Honest-1 Auto, 1565 Hamline Ave. N. – Falcon Heights, MN 55105
- Kowalski’s, 1261 Grand Ave. – St Paul, MN 55105
- Landmarket Gift Shop, 75 W. 5th Street – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Mischief Toy Store, 818 Grand Ave. – St. Paul, MN 55105
- MN History Center Museum Store, 345 Kellogg Blvd – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Pillbox Tavern, 400 Wabasha Street N. – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave. – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Saint Paul Brewing, 688 Minnehaha Ave E. – St. Paul MN 55106
- Saint Paul Corner Drug, 240 Snelling Ave. – St. Paul, MN 55105
- Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street – St. Paul, MN 55102
- Super Day Gas Station, 7030 Cahill Ave. – Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
- The UPS Store, 1041 Grand Ave. – St. Paul, MN 55105
- West Saint Paul Antiques, 880 Smith Ave S., Saint Paul, MN 55118
* The 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.
Small Business Sellers
Interested in selling buttons at your small business? Fill out our forms:
Request More Buttons
Are you one of our locations selling buttons and need more? Please contact Jenny at 651.223.7400 or jenny@spfhf.org
Thank You Sponsors!
