NOTE: Due to provincial COVID restrictions preventing us from having events - even outdoor events - Froid'Art will be a VIRTUAL event this year. If permitted, the ice blocks from last year (2021) and this year will be put in place next year. 

That means that display of your ice block as well as recognition of your sponsorship will be on display this year and next year, for the same price of $200 + HST. If you have already purchased a block in 2021 there is no additional charge.

Please follow @martelloalley on Facebook and Instagram for updates on Froid'Art.

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This is "The Audience" by Tammy Selena Tuck.

"The Audience in awe and so very happy all brought together again by something Kingston is so very well Known for: MUSIC! Another reminder that we are almost through the pandemic times. There is a hint to who was performing on stage - if people look real close at the shadows holding cellphones.... We will never forget our legends!"

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I self learned through a grieving process as I lost my best friend and Dad May 2020 during the thick of Covid, Art was one form of healing for me. Although I am a Nurse, I am an amateur artist self taught through tips, online tutorials, my imagination, my heart, and even a few tips from Wendy and Dave of Martello Ally. My heart goes out to Kingston businesses and all they’ve endured, so I was feeling blessed to be part of such a beautiful community event “Froid D’Art.”

Froid’Art is back! It's our winter ice art display. We’ve held it every year since 2015, except for last year, when it had to be cancelled due to Covid. This year we will have it, but it will be done in a different way: it will be a virtual 360 tour hosted on the Matterport platform. Specially-coated plexiglas sheets were frozen into two 300 lb blocks of ice. These blocks will be arriving in Kingston in a few days. They will be placed in various spots downtown where a projector will cast a piece of art on them. At each location, video, photos and 360 scans will be taken. It will all be assembled to create an online, virtual 360 tour that can be seen everywhere 24/7. Next year, fingers crossed, we will be able once again to hold the event the way we used to: all twenty ice blocks will be in place for people to see in person. For more information and for updates visit www.martelloalley.com, or @martelloalley on Facebook and Instagram.

So click on the "Add to cart" button to reserve your Froid'Art today! And if you need a reminder of what Froid'Art is, here is awriteup from 2015.

Winter Blues? Just add art!

"What do you imagine the world would look like without art?" 

This question was asked of a group of kids aged 5 to 13. Here are some of the responses. "There would be no colours”, "It would be soooo boring", "The world would be ugly", and “There would be nothing fun to look at".

Looking back, I realize that their answers sounded an awful lot like a typical Canadian urban winter!  It is hard to embrace our wintery climate without the elements of colour, diversity and some plain old fun. Let's face it, once those holiday decorations and lights come down, this time of year can be pretty depressing! 

Don't give in to those negative feelings! David Dossett and the artists of Martello Alley are launching "Froid'Art" again for the third winter. While it's not a trip to the southern climates, it sure is a colourful and cheerful escape from the monotone landscapes of the wintery city life. 

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Froid'Art, allow us to give you an overview. Our local artists create beautiful works of art on large pieces of plastic that are then frozen into 300 pound blocks of crystal clear ice! Each block is illuminated for a stunning night effect. Some of the art is painted with special paint that glows in the dark. It will give chills, but only the good kind!

Martello Alley is dedicated to promoting our downtown community and Froid'Art is just one way we strive to keep the area and merchants vibrant. We work with other downtown businesses and homeowners to sponsor the art. Everyone who participates has an art ice block placed in front of their business or house. Then we create a walking/driving tour (maps will be available online and at Martello Alley) so that the public can get out and visit the art, discover a new neighbourhood, discover some of Kingston's amazing architecture, meet some new friends, find a business and forget about the answer to the double Jeopardy question! 

This is a free public art exhibit and we are very proud of the sense of community it brings. We launched Froid'Art 2019 on January 14th at Martello Alley (203 Wellington Street) and it will run until the ice melts. Here's to some polar vortex action! 

So make that thermos of hot chocolate, grab your woollies and some friends and see what fun the winter can be when you just add art!