‘Nutcracker on Ice’ by the Sculpture Garden Skating School (photos)

Every holiday season, Alice Jean Shelley’s class at the Sculpture Garden Skating School performs its version of the “Nutcracker on Ice.” View our photos of the “Nutcracker,” by clicking on the photo icons below.

An ice skating professional with more than 27 years of experience, Alice Jean Shelley is the director of the Sculpture Garden Skating School at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. We invited Shelley to talk about her program. “The children have a wonderful time outdoors learning from the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Program to free skating levels using teaching tools and props such as candy canes, buckets, markers and even a boogie board, etc. This season we have a new class ‘Nanny & Me’ in which the nanny can bring and accompany their children while learning to skate with the children at no cost to them. The adult program is fabulous, too … from first-time beginners on the ice to adults who even spin and jump. If you would like to bring a group of 10 or more for a special occasion and have a half-hour lesson included, there is a special group rate of $17.50 per person which would include a half-hour lesson, admission and skate rental if needed. That way you would have someone on the ice for the birthday, holiday or special occasion party to facilitate the party, teach and even play a few ‘games’ on the ice with them.”

You are welcome to call Alice Shelley at 202-507-2396 for more information and also to arrange private lessons for adults and children, which are available seven days a week at anytime day and night when the ice rink is open.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink is open mid-November through mid-March, weather permitting, where you can view magnificent works of sculpture while skating in the open air and enjoying music from the state-of-the-art sound system. Two hours on the ice costs $8 for adults and $7 for children, students and seniors. Skates are available for rental at a $3 charge.

View our photos of the students performing the “Nutcracker on Ice” by clicking on the photo icons below.