The Ice Theater of New York (ITNY) is celebrating 40 years of artistry, athleticism and expression on ice with a gala at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers this weekend. 

The nonprofit organization founded in 1984, has spent four decades pushing the boundaries of ice skating with modern dance.  

This year’s milestone is being marked with ensemble pieces carrying powerful messages from world peace to climate change. 

 "It's called Ensemble for peace and it's a tribute to all the wars happening and through skating there's still a way to find peace,” said Liz Schmidt, professional ice skater and performer at the ITNY. 

Valerie Levine, a Long Island native from Bellrose Village, has been skating with the dance company since 2002.

Every detail of her performance has intention, “Sonar recordings, so the ice melting recordings are the music...and the wings that I skate with are actually a picture of ice breaking hand painted,” explained Levine. 

This weekend’s celebration will feature performances by company members as well as a special guest appearance by two-time world champion Illia Malinin. 

The event will also honor Olympic gold medalist and skating icon Scott Hamilton. 

Performances will run Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, 7 p.m. and Monday, May 5, 6:30 p.m.