SNOWBANKSY, Adorable Snow Polar Bears in Central Park Highlight Climate Change

We noticed the adorable polar bear snow sculptures pop up in Central Park in 2021 and they've appeared every year since. These bears are not just notable for their cuteness. The polar bear cubs have sat on chairs, played guitar, read books, and done all sorts of human things. They are the creation of artist Heide Hatry and various volunteers seeking to raise awareness of climate change.

One of the signs near the bears says in 2021 read “Mommy, what’s a carbon footprint?” Another sign made of snow that she made earlier this month said “LET US CHILL.” Hatry made these sculptures over a few weeks, stopping by regularly on her walks to create new bears or to fix up ones that have melted. She says the more time-consuming part of the project is not the creation of the bears, of which there were more than two dozen in 2021, it’s the daily maintenance as they melt rapidly. She does the “repairs” overnight so that the bears are ready for the public in the morning. The items used by the polar bears are usually found in the nearby trash. Hatry hopes that the installation will be part of the larger conversation to encourage people to stop using fossil fuels and to use sustainable, renewable energy, like solar.

Robyn Roth-Moise, who grew up just near the 86th Street entrance on the Upper West Side where one collection of the bears is located, tells Untapped New York, “These polar bears have brought joy to kids and adults alike. The message behind them is a great teaching tool. As we approach warmer temperatures this week the bears will melt. It is also a reminder to all about climate change and how real polar bears are endangered by the constant warmer temperatures.”

Hatry says that doing the project made her realize “there’s a beautiful community here on the Upper West Side.” She has posted on her Instagram that neighbors have brought her tea while she’s working, water to assist in the sculpting, and other gifts. Nobody initially knew who was making the bear sculptures, and so someone in the community installed the SNOWBANKSY 2021 sign.

A funeral was held for the bears when they melted in 2021. Hatry described that event as more of a celebration and a “getting together" and "thinking about what we can do about the climate and celebrating and watching them melt.”

For more photos keep reading below. You can find the polar bear sculptures on the Great Lawn. Follow artist Heidi Hatry on Instagram and the @polarbearfest for updates!

Here’s an interview of Hilde with Mickey Blank of New York Live with Mickey: