About Springboard on Ice

Each year, Springboard staff goes out on our front lawn in Saint Paul, MN and fills a mini-ice rink frame with water, lets it freeze over, and invites artists to host activities that push against the idea that winters in Minnesota are a time of isolation.  

Since 2023, we’ve partnered with the artists of Brownbody to present Springboard on Ice, who know firsthand how ice can bring joy, connection, and space for everyone to create. Blending modern dance, theater, social justice and skating since 2007, Brownbody’s work on and off the ice cultivates the representation of Black artistry and access to the artform of skating. 

“I think art expands possibilities. Ice is something that we see constantly in the winter here, but it can be used to make art too.”

– Karyn Wilson, Learn to Skate Director & Administrative and Operations Coordinator at Brownbody

Springboard on Ice offers a little bit of everything when it comes to winter fun, from free drop-in skating lessons with Brownbody instructors, to live performances on the mini-rink,  and interactive artist-led activities with Twin Cities Native Lacrosse, WOW Mobile Metal Lab, and Streetcorner Letter Press.

The goal of Springboard on Ice isn’t to discover the next Olympic pro skater (although we’re rooting for you!) but to foster artist-led community spaces for people to gather, connect, and showcase the vibrant creativity of the neighborhood. We look forward to continuing this artist-led winter series for years to come.

Gallery