Artist, Charity Team Up for Super Mario Snow Sculptures

Annual winter display brings joy to young patients at Golisano Children's Hospital

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Each year during National Heart Month and Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week, the charity Hearts for Isabella partners with artist Eric Jones and his Sculpting for Smiles initiative to create special snow sculptures for children receiving care at Golisano Children's Hospital in Rochester, New York. This year's sculptures featured beloved characters from the Super Mario video game series.

Why it matters

The annual snow sculpture display is an uplifting tradition that brings joy and entertainment to young patients who may be facing serious health challenges. By featuring popular characters like Mario and Luigi, the sculptures connect with the children's interests and provide a welcome distraction from their hospital stay.

The details

The snow sculptures, which were viewable from the hospital windows, included detailed recreations of classic Super Mario characters and scenes. The project is a collaboration between Hearts for Isabella, a nonprofit that supports families of children with congenital heart defects, and artist Eric Jones, who has been creating the Sculpting for Smiles displays for several years.

  • The snow sculptures were unveiled during National Heart Month and Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week in February 2026.

The players

Hearts for Isabella

A nonprofit organization that supports families of children with congenital heart defects.

Eric Jones

An artist who leads the Sculpting for Smiles initiative, creating annual snow sculpture displays for Golisano Children's Hospital.

Golisano Children's Hospital

A pediatric hospital in Rochester, New York that provides care for children, including those with congenital heart defects.

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The takeaway

The annual snow sculpture display is a heartwarming example of how art, charity, and community can come together to brighten the lives of children facing health challenges. The Super Mario-themed sculptures this year provided a fun, familiar distraction for the young patients at Golisano Children's Hospital.