In 2020, an early snowfall in Las Cruces, New Mexico, inspired Friar Tom Smith to build a snowman. He decided to sculpt a Franciscan friar using pinecones for the eyes and pine needles for the eyebrows, mouth, and hair.
“St. Francis of Assisi talks about giving thanks to God and praising God for the sun, the moon, the stars, the rain, and the earth, so it’s kind of a celebration of creation as well,” he said. “I see it as personally uplifting and also as a message of how we should care for the earth and care for one another and bring joy to one another.”
