Manhattan’s Ice Sculptures Chill Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s gone subzero with ice sculptures dazzling Manhattan this winter. Last night, artist Mia Chen carved a 10-foot eagle as crowds gaped, breath fogging in the 20-degree air. The park’s rinkside gallery—free to see—sports a dozen works, from swans to skyscrapers. Chen’s chainsaw buzzed for hours, ice chips flying like snow. ‘NYC’s cold—let’s own it,’ she says, brushing frost off her gloves. It’s a frozen flex for the city.

The display’s a first—sponsored by a bank, it runs through March, weather permitting. Chen, a Chelsea sculptor, teamed with pros to pull it off; her eagle took two days. Kids pressed noses to the ice, while tourists snapped selfies—#IceBryant hit 10K posts. A swan melted a bit under spotlights, but crews refroze it overnight. The vibe’s crisp—NYC’s winter, chiseled to perfection.

Some grumble—skaters want their rink back, and a purist called it ‘tacky flash.’ Upkeep’s a beast; warm snaps could axe the show early. A rival sculptor’s pitching a gig in Central Park, upping the chill. Still, the crowds love it—500 rolled through by dusk. Manhattan’s never shined so icy.

Chen’s plotting a dragon for next week, if her hands don’t freeze first. ‘This is NYC—big and bold, even in ice,’ she says, sharpening her tools. The sculptures are a cool twist on city swagger—fragile but fierce. Bryant Park’s a fridge gallery now; bundle up and gawk. It’s melting art—catch it quick.