By Mike Friskney
Ice sculptures are both beautiful and breathtaking. It’s hard not to marvel at the artistry and skill needed to create them, or be intrigued by what it must take to transform a 300-pound block of ice into a stunning, glistening masterpiece. Well, you are in luck…you’re about to find out.
First, a little background
Credit for the first ice sculpture goes to the farmers and fishermen of Northern China back in the 16th century. They would freeze buckets of water, carve out the centre and then place a candle inside to make lanterns. These lanterns grew in popularity, and soon people were sculpting the exterior of their lanterns in order to decorate them.
The prize for the first ornate ice sculpture goes to Russia. During the 18th century, Empress Anna Ivanovna commissioned a large palace made from ice. It included ice sculptures such as trees, animals and cannons. Fast forward to the 20th century, where chefs have created striking ice sculpture centrepieces for buffets, banquets, weddings and events.
How to become an ice sculptor
Like other artistic endeavours, there is no one path to becoming an ice sculptor. While it’s true that many culinary schools offer courses in ice sculpting, a great deal of ice sculptors are self-taught. There are even several videos on YouTube that will walk you through the fundamentals.
Other ice sculptors have learned the basics by taking a weekend workshop at an art school. Some have started off in a different discipline, such as wood carving, and developed skills that naturally translate to sculpting ice. But, if you’re really serious about becoming an ice sculptor, the best way to become a virtuoso of the trade is to apprentice with a master sculptor.
The ice sculpting process
Like most pursuits, there’s a process to sculpting a piece of ice. The first step is determining a concept and a design. Once this stage is complete, the next step is to find a good block of ice.
The common size for one of these blocks of ice is 40″ tall x 20″ wide x 10″ deep. They weigh 300-lbs. and are produced by an ice-block-making machine called a Clinebell. Sculptors prefer ice made in these machines because the device’s filters push oxygen out of the water as it freezes. This prevents air bubbles from concentrating in the centre of the block and making the ice look cloudy. With no air bubbles trapped in the centre, the ice block will be crystal clear.
Once you have selected your block of ice, the next step is to carve out the basic shape of your design using a handsaw or electric chainsaw. When the rough shape is completed, it’s time to the work on the dazzling details. This is done using tools such as a chisel, angle grinder, files, hammer and even a blow torch.
Transforming a block of ice to a finished sculpture usually takes an experienced artisan roughly one or two hours; the more intricate the design, the longer the duration.
How much ice-cold cash can you earn?
Ice sculptors are commissioned to design pieces for happenings such as galas, events, parties, weddings, conventions, hotels, movies and winter festivals.
In addition to commercial revenue, many ice sculptors will enter competitions to pad their bank accounts. Unfortunately, considering their incredible artistic abilities, even the top ice sculptors don’t earn a big pay day from these competitions. For example, the top prize in Toronto’s Bloor Yorkville IceFest ice sculpture competition is only $1,000.
Even at the World Ice Art Championships, held annually in Fairbanks, Alaska, the reward for being a top sculptor is only $2,000-$8,000, depending on which of the three categories you win.
Considering how priceless ice sculptures are, it seems only fitting that the organizers of these competitions should start offering prize money that is equal to the looks of amazement these incredible works of art inspire.
For more information on a private ice carving lesson, please visit www.iceculture.com. They will be happy to create a fun experience for anyone who is interested in pursuing their dream.
