Sculptor Donald Chapelle carves a hawk out of a block of ice at Hansen Elementary School in Stoughton.

Blocks of ice littered the ground at Donald Chapelle's feet. With bodies shivering and teeth chattering, students at the Hansen Elementary School huddled together closely to combat the biting wind -- their frosty breath rising above the group.

An array of chisels oddly shaped drill-like tools, buffers and even a chain saw lay before Chapelle.

"Now we're going to make the feathers," Chapelle told a group of fifth graders watching intently despite the bitter cold. Chapelle pulled out a chisel and with long, smooth, sweeping motions, he carved feathers into what was once a block of ice. The ice had morphed into the shape of a hawk preparing to take off, representing the school mascot.

Chapelle's visit and his icy work of art was part of the Hansen School's annual curricular theme ó this year known as Sculpture Shaping the World according to Principal Jason Raisner.   The theme is integrated into all teachers' lesson plans, Raisner explained.

For more information on Chapelle, go to brillianticesculpture.com.

Read the complete article in the Stoughton Journal