Some of the roughly 20 box sculptures made during the first annual Box Art Project during North Adams' 2025 Winterfest. Individuals, kids, and community groups made sculptures ranging from a silver unicorn to a green Martian with a spaceship crashing beneath it to Pine Cobble School's abstract moss sculpture.

NORTH ADAMS — Looking for a way to transform those leftover holiday gift boxes and wrapping into something beautiful?

The second annual downtown Winterfest Box Art Project is now underway. Berkshire Emporium owner and City Councilor Keith Bona is encouraging residents and community groups to create sculptures from boxes and leftover materials to display downtown for Winterfest on Feb. 14.

After the longtime ice sculpture contest at the festival slowed due to rising ice costs, Bona launched the project last Winterfest as an accessible way to draw walking traffic downtown.

There are still some ice sculptures at the festival, but their number has declined in recent years. Bona saw the Box Art Project as a way to engage the community before the festival, without worrying about melting ice or specialized tools like chainsaws and chisels.

From a silver unicorn to a green Martian with a spaceship crashing beneath it, to Pine Cobble School's abstract moss sculpture, about 20 boxes were created last year by groups and solo artists. Berkshire County Head Start made a giant flower vase, with each North County student contributing a flower to the cardboard bouquet.

Winterfest was originally started by the now-defunct Downtown Development Inc., a group of businesses looking to boost traffic during February and March’s slow months.

Festival mainstays — including horse rides, the chowder cook-off, and a bonfire — will return on Valentine's Day, along with the second Art Box Contest.

Pine Cobble School created a moss and greenery sculpture for last year's first annual Box Art Project during North Adams' 2025 Winterfest. The school's sculpture was one of roughly 20 box sculptures made that were displayed in front of businesses downtown.

The Girl Schouts created animal sculptures for last year's first annual Box Art Project during North Adams' 2025 Winterfest. The troop's sculpture was one of roughly 20 box sculptures made last winter that were displayed in front of businesses downtown.

To show how simple the sculptures can be, Bona made examples including a boxy policeman giving a parking ticket at a Main Street meter and an owl crafted from two boxes and a few pieces of paper.

Bona hopes more people and groups will participate now that they know what to expect.

"Once they saw what others did, they realized it didn't have to be so elaborate," he said.

Groups like Have Hope Recovery Center, Pine Cobble School, and the Girl Scouts repurposed materials to make their creations.

"I got joy out of hearing these groups had a good time doing them together," said Bona.

He also asked participants to notify him before Winterfest, so organizers know how many sculptures will be spread downtown. There aren’t many rules, but creations must be at least three feet tall, and no special skills are required.

Last year, all participants were entered into a drawing for gift certificates to downtown businesses.

"It's some paint and boxes taped together," said Bona. "Have fun, be creative and you don't need to be a professional artist."