Fairbanks artist Steve Brice was chipping at victory on Monday at the World Ice Art Championships — literally.

Surrounded by already completed graceful works of art, Brice spent the second day of the Single Block Classic on a bust of a strongman letting loose a shout.

“I did a mannequin back in 1998 for a piece I was going to do here, and decided to do an extra-large one,” Brice said. “You have a hope for a vision and you have to adjust it often as things progress. It is very rare that your vision is the final product.”

Brice, who’s been competing in the championships since 1990, got started early, with the temperature hovering around 35 degrees below zero.

“It’s starting to warm up now, so I’m having fun now,” Brice said.

Brice was one of dozens of artists and teams working on single-block works, the last of the professional categories at the 51st World Ice Carving Art Championships, hosted at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds.

Competing sculptors were on the second day of the single-block contest on Monday, chiseling and sawing away as they shaped ice blocks into masterpieces.

Visitors roamed through the fair’s campgrounds, watching as artists worked their magic.

Aurora Fagan, of Anchor Point, was busy working on the emerging shape of a dinosaur with a rider.

“My 4-year-old daughter likes dinosaurs, so she modeled for me,” Fagan said. Fagan has competed in the championships several times over the years.

Her first foray was at 16 years old in the timed Fairbanks Open Invite.

“This is my first time carving solo,” Fagan said. “I’ve always worked on a team, so it’s different, like having to move all my own ice.”

At the same time, folks in the Fairbanks Open Competition were hammering away in a timed 38-hour drive to carve their niche at the ice park. The open competition was nonjudged and open to novice, student and amateur ice artists.

Tyler Sledd, from Oregon, was busy shaping a rattlesnake from a block of ice in his first attempt at the medium.

“I’m deathly afraid of snakes and I want to go get over that fear, so I’ve been carving and learning about it,” Sledd said. “It has helped me to try and get over my fears.”

More than 40 artists from Alaska, the U.S. and across the world are competing in Ice Alaska’s signature event this year.

Winners of the multiblock championships that wrapped on Feb. 21 included the team from the Philippines for their display, “The Pack of Silk and Starlight.” Members included team captain Ross Baisas, Angelito Baban, Antonio Baisas and Victor Dagatan.

Second place went to a team from Tuv, Mongolia, for their “Everything is Waking Up” sculpture. Members included team captain Tserendash Batmunkh, Altankhuu Khishidalai, Enkhbat Damdin and Munkhtuu Dorjdamba.

Third place went to a U.S.-based team of carvers from Alaska and Washington for their work “Storm of Bjorn Vaer.” The team includes captain Jordan Anderson of Anchorage, Amanda O’Neill of Fairbanks and Washington state carvers Nick Bielby and Wade Lapp.

For the double block championship, which ended Friday, the first-place award went to Mongolia’s team for their piece “The Legend.” The team consisted of carvers Altankhuu Khishigdalai and Enkhabat Damdim.

Second place also went to a Mongolian team for its “Royal Hunting” sculpture. The team included Tserendash Batmunkh and Munkhtuul Domjdamba.

Third place went to Japan’s team for its “Traveling Planet” sculpture. The team members included Hiroaki Kimura and Miho Takami.

Next Monday, the Youth Competition kicks off its four-day run, open to all aspiring ice sculptors.

In addition to the championships, the fairgrounds was turned into a crystal forest of sculptures and ice art, including games such as checkers, miniature golf and cornhole.

Visitors shouted in delight as they sled down one of three large ice slides that are iconic of Ice Alaska’s ice park.

Ice Alaska will continue through March 31, weather permitting.

Ice Alaska and the World Ice Carving Championships opened Feb. 16 at the Tanana Valley State Fairgrounds, 1800 College Road. The overall event runs through March 31, or as weather permits. Hours are noon to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased online at icealaska.com or at the gate.