What Is an Ice Sculpture?

An ice sculpture is one that has been carved out of ice, as the name implies. Natural or man-made ice can be used to create ice sculptures, and it can be clear or colored. Although some sculptures are made mechanically, most ice sculptures are made cutting a rough shape into a block of ice with a saw and then refining it with smaller hand tools. Ice sculptures can be found on buffet tables and at formal events such as wedding receptions. Those interested in learning how to make ice sculptures can do so at a culinary school or through a self-paced ice sculpting course.

Each ice sculpture starts with one or more ice blocks. A sculptor may begin with a block of ice as small as a basketball or as large as a compact car, depending on the intended size of the finished sculpture. Ice blocks are sometimes extracted from natural sources, such as a frozen river or lake. They are made with electric freezing equipment in other cases. Although dyes can be added to man-made ice blocks prior to freezing to produce a colored sculpture, most ice sculptures are clear.

A sculptor may draw sketches of the final sculpture as she envisions it before beginning work on an ice sculpture. She can either work directly from the sketches or use a computer program to convert them into full-size stencils or patterns. The sculptor usually starts cutting a rough shape with a chainsaw. She then refines the shape of the sculpture with hand tools such as chisels, knives, and grinders, before adding fine details with small chisels or even needles. Some ice sculptures are created entirely computers rather than sculptors.

A wedding reception or other formal event is probably the most common place to see an ice sculpture. Ice sculptures are used as a decorative element on buffet tables in some restaurants. Sculptures are frequently placed over white or colored lights to add drama and highlight their details.

As part of their education, some culinary schools teach students how to sculpt ice. Individuals who want to learn how to make ice sculptures without going to culinary school can do so enrolling in a self-paced ice sculpting course. Alternatively, those who live in areas with extremely cold winters may find an ice sculpting club at their local university or community.