It's time to go home
An interactive frozen lake where visitors climb a giant vintage sled, explore artist-built ice shanties, swap stories around a campfire, and tune a crackling radio inside a car stuck in the ice. Designed for seasonal and permanent placement—we're actively seeking the right home.
A 50-foot runner sled crests a snowy mound. Below sprawls a frozen lake dotted with ice shanties, each one a portal to a different artist's imagination. Step inside for shadow puppets, vintage postcards, fortune-telling cards, poetry chapbooks, music boxes. Climb into a 1940s car. Warm your hands at the fire ring. Trade stories with strangers who won't be strangers by morning. Every connection here threads into something larger, a collective world we're building as one.
Core crew: 16 artists and makers
Volunteers: 30+ hands & hearts
Lead Artist: Joe Howard
We measure twice cut once, weld, hammer, paint, wire, and dream together. An actual family of welders, carpenters, designers, electricians, sculptors, comms nerds, dreamers and storytellers. All building as one. We leave no trace. We welcome everyone.
Building the impossible is possible. All skill levels, hearts and hands welcome.
We got answers.
We're actively seeking the right home—seasonal winter placements at parks, resorts, and public spaces, as well as permanent civic installation opportunities. Get in touch at media@misfittoys.art.
Yes! Climb in the cars, explore the shanties, sled down the hill, warm up at the fire ring. This installation is built for participation—touch it, play with it, become part of it.
Months of planning and pre-build work, followed by intensive on-site construction at Black Rock City. After the event, we completely dismantle everything following Leave No Trace principles.
Everyone. All skill levels welcome. We need carpenters, welders, electricians, crew care support, logistics help, media assistance, fundraising support—and people with willing hands and open hearts who want to learn.
Yes and no. Its debut is at Black Rock City 2026. After the event, the installation finds a new home—a seasonal winter run—then a permanent location.
The intimacy. Ice shanties create private moments within a public space. Vintage cars invite nostalgia and play. The winter theme provides cool refuge—emotionally and literally—in the desert heat. Every element is designed to foster genuine connection between strangers.
Three ways: volunteer your time and skills, contribute financially to help fund materials and transportation, or share our story with your networks. Every bit helps build the impossible.
$168,000 to cover materials, transportation, tools, and infrastructure. All raised through community support and volunteer labor. Every dollar goes directly into building the installation.
Lead artist for Winter Solstice. Been building with Misfit Toys since 2022—this is his first lead installation. Previously worked on "LOVE BLOCKS" and "One Tin Soldier." San Francisco-based landscape architect who leads our crew of artists, welders, carpenters, and dreamers in building the impossible.