Misawa couple sculpts bonds off base

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  With Northern Japan's frigid winters come opportunities to create unique art out of snow and ice.

Airman 1st Class Kyle Meister, 35th Maintenance Group precision measurement equipment laboratory technician, and his wife, Erika Meister, recently caught the eyes of the local community when they created a life-size sculpture of a unicorn during the Towada City Snow and Light Fantavista.

The couple worked on the sculpture from Feb. 12 to Feb. 14 which was well after the festival's start date of Feb. 5. This was rare since most pieces were built before the event began.

"One of the things that made our sculpture unique was that we worked on it during the festival," Mrs. Meister said. "The Japanese really enjoyed seeing us construct the sculpture. From the American side, a lot of people thanked us for doing an excellent job and representing the base."

The Meisters received most of their feedback on Saturday, Feb. 13, which was the day that drew the largest crowd.

"The Japanese loved seeing us out there participating in their event and being a part of their community," Airman Meister added.

The Meisters came across the opportunity while talking with a Japanese friend at a Christmas party, they said. The couple expressed to their friend an interest in participating in the winter festival. From there, the friend got in contact with the event director and shortly after, the Meisters received an invitation to participate in the festival.

The sculpture marked the seventh carved by Mrs. Meister who captained a snow-sculpting team consisting of her mother and father two years ago, she said. Her team placed first at a Wisconsin state competition and went on to place fourth in a nation-wide competition. For Airman Meister, it was his first time creating a snow sculpture.

"It's a cool thing to do," Airman Meister said. "I was excited at the opportunity and definitely willing to help out."

Since the Meisters created the sculpture as part of a showcase and not a competition, they were allowed to use power tools, which was a great advantage, they jokingly agreed.

"Normally, during a competition, there are no power tools allowed so it all has to be cut by hand," Airman Meister said.

The Meisters are currently looking into competing in the annual sculpting contest in Sapporo, Japan. However, the Sapporo event takes place during the festival in Towada, which they have already received an invitation to return next year.