View source for SpinDizzy Winter Olympics 2026 Literary and Artistic Awards

== Frost and Frolic: The Artistic and Literary Supplement of the 2026 SpinDizzy Winter Olympics ==
As the theme for this year's Olympics was "The Joy of Play," contributions on the theme of winter or play, interpreted broadly, were especially encouraged.
=== Visual art (drawing, painting, etc., whether digital or otherwise) ===
(This category received no submissions.)
=== Photography ===
==== ''Snowy Night'' by BunnyHugger (Team Rabbits and Rodents) ====
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/bunnyhugger/54664737902/ Snowy Night, by BunnyHugger]
=== Short Fiction ===
==== ''Vignettes of Winter'' by Mako (Team Mystics and Misfits) ====
–

Early february, and ol' Farmer Bumper is taking the day off after looking after his crops to sit back and watch some TV.

'... and his heart grew three sizes that day. Prompting some hurried discussions with his local medical specialist.'

*FZT*

'... which is how it was discovered they were not, in fact, wearing pants. And now, the news! Locals are baffled by the sudden disappearance of snowmen from across the spindizzy. Local authorities have thus far proven unable to explain the continued cases of our chilly friends, who have been vanishing from parks, front yards and snowpacks all over. In other news, another vintage clothing store has reported a robbery, with the theft of several silk scarves and stovepipe hats.....'

His watching was disturbed, a this point, by the sound of someone knocking persistently at his door. After a moment, his wife looks around the corner. "Um, dear? There are some... gentlemen... at the door. They want to talk to you about some.... nose jobs." Slowly, he gets up to go look out the door, where about a dozen snowmen are waiting....

-=

By Patashu Industries, out in the snowdrifts outside, some kobolds are busily shovelling out the parking lot, wielding those shovels with the giant end. Eventually, one ends up hoiking a load of snow over its shoulder, burying another behind it, who takes offense at this, and in the expected manner, responds by hurling a snowball at the back of the first Kobold's head. \*paft*

Soon, a full blown snowball fight is ongoing, with kobolds hurling snowballs and making makeshift snowforts in the lot. One or two of them have to dive for cover when the Splurf(tm) snowzookas come out, but this is responded to with zeal - Shovelpults and more snowballs. Eventually, every kobold is sipping hot cocoa, surveying the forts and lot. ".... does anyone around here actually drive a car?" One asks....

-=

There is some kind of law that states that whenever enough snow comes down, it's time to take a toboggan and go down the best hill you can find. And there's a similar rule that states that for some reason, one of those hills will always be named "Dead Man's Hill" or somesuch. And so here we have people enjoying the winter only those on spindizzy can, riding down the hills on various implements, from proper sleds, to cobbled together gadgets.., rocket powered skiis *Yeee-hawww!*

-=

Dashing through the snow... in a rocket-powered sleight... o'er the hills we go.... please get out of the way~ I've no idea how fast... this thing can go at speed... I really should have checked.... a parachute's in need o/~

==== ''A Contested Play'', submitted by Moriar on behalf of Ranarp (Team Dragon) ====

Across the broadly empty theater, the lines delivered by the actors cast a faint echo with each landing upon the audience. Striding across the stage littered with brightly colored furniture to challenge her fellow kobold, the actress exclaimed, "When the family Oresguard has found enough spine to defend my honor, I will then tilt an ear to deign its admonitions!"

His posture unflinching and retreat unavailed, the actor replied in turn, "Our halls where not dug with haste fueled by provocation, nor shall our coffers be drained one drop of dignity in dodging a feint. I consider this matter settled."
Into the long moment of the kobold's mutual stare under the fading lights and half dropping curtain, the sole audience member tapped a claw to his chin before calling it. "One point, and the match, goes to Team Lilac for posture and line delivery.", rumbled in the wry syllables of a dragon's amused tone.
=== Other artistic works (arts otherwise not covered such as music composition or performance) ===
(This category received no submissions.)