Who Are The Ice Gurus?

Ice Sculptures Ltd. was founded over three decade ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by a team of passionate and skilled ice sculptors. Since then, our company has grown into a premier ice sculpture company serving clients across the Midwest and beyond.

what we have to offer

About Us

The story of Ice Sculptures Ltd. begins with our founder, Randy Finch, who started his career as a chef and quickly developed a passion for ice carving. After training in Europe and working as an ice carver for several years, Randy returned to Michigan and founded Ice Sculptures Ltd. with a small team of like-minded individuals.

Randy's passion for ice sculpting eventually led him to become a household name, thanks in part to his time on the Food Network's popular show, "Ice Brigade." As the star of the show, Randy wowed audiences with his incredible ice sculptures and helped raise the profile of the ice sculpting industry as a whole.

Our early days were challenging, but we persevered through hard work, determination, and a commitment to creating the best possible ice sculptures. Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with many amazing clients, including the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Amway Corporation, and Steelcase. We have also completed countless projects, from corporate events and weddings to film sets and art installations.

Our success would not have been possible without the contributions of past employees, including some of the most talented and creative ice sculptors in the industry. We are proud of our history and the many talented individuals who have helped shape our company over the years.

Today, we continue to push the boundaries of ice sculpting and strive to provide the highest quality products and services to our clients. We offer custom ice sculptures, live ice carving demonstrations, and delivery and setup services for events of all types and sizes.

At Ice Sculptures Ltd., we are committed to excellence in all that we do. From the initial consultation to the final delivery, we work closely with our clients to ensure their vision is brought to life in a stunning and unique way.

Who We Are

At Ice Guru Events in Grand Rapids, we are passionate about creating stunning ice sculptures and experiences that make any event unforgettable. We specialize in providing custom ice sculptures, pumpkin carvings, Silent Discos, and more for weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions throughout West Michigan and beyond.

Our team of skilled artists has years of experience in the industry and is dedicated to creating unique, one-of-a-kind ice sculptures that exceed our client's expectations. From elegant centerpieces to custom logos and everything in between, we can create an ice sculpture that perfectly fits your vision.

Our services include, but are not limited to:

Custom Ice Sculptures: We can create an ice sculpture that perfectly fits your event's theme, style, and budget. Our team will work closely with you to understand your vision and create a truly unique piece of art that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.

  • Live Ice Carvings: Looking for a unique and engaging element for your event? Our live ice carving demonstrations are a great way to add a fun and interactive element to any event.
  • Delivery and Setup: Our team will handle all aspects of delivery and setup, ensuring that your ice sculpture is delivered on time and installed securely at your event.

At Ice Sculptures Ltd., we take pride in providing exceptional service and high-quality ice sculptures that will impress. We use only the finest ice and equipment available, and our team is committed to providing our clients with a seamless and stress-free experience.

So why choose Ice Sculptures Ltd. for your next event? Simply put, we are the best in the business. Our team has the skill, experience, and passion to create truly breathtaking ice sculptures that will leave a lasting impression on your guests. With our commitment to excellence and attention to detail, we are confident that we can exceed your expectations and create an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

Thank you for considering Ice Sculptures Ltd. for your next event. We look forward to working with you to create a truly unique and unforgettable ice sculpture.

"ICE BRIGADE" ON FOOD NETWORK

Ice Brigade follows Michigan-based chef Randy Finch and his team of renegade ice artists as they blow the lid off ice sculpting by developing original designs that defy the imagination.

THE SHOW

To these frozen outlaws, the standard wedding swans are simply huge ice cubes. The real thrill of their bone-chilling craft is to make life-sized and interactive creations like pool tables, bowling lanes, grand pianos, carousels, and putt-putt courses.

Armed with chainsaws, chisels, and sledgehammers, each episode features Randy Finch and crew sculpting rock-solid ice blocks into out-of-this-world art and delivering them to awestruck clients. No matter the job or locale, the mission remains the same: get the job done before it all melts away.

 

HOW IT ALL STARTED

Randy Finch and Derek Maxfield were two small town Michigan boys originally drawn to the culinary arts to fulfill their love of science and art, but eventually found their true calling in ice sculpting. Both Derek and Randy now agree that cooking was an opportunity to express themselves, socialize and lead an exciting life outside a traditional corporate setting. To make their culinary dreams a reality, they both studied Culinary Arts at local Michigan colleges. Before and after college, they both worked in restaurants honing their culinary and ice sculpting skills. They met while serving as apprentices under Master Chef Dan Hugelier at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich. They closely observed the ornate craft and stayed late after work many nights to improve their own carving skills. During this time, they realized their mutual affinity for ice carving, which would inevitably lead them to pursue a career in the business together.
After a few additional job transitions, traveling and endless practice, Randy and Derek started carving ice and selling it locally using their car trunk as a makeshift studio. They would drive to a hotel or banquet hall, open up the trunk filled with tools, and sculpt a block of ice right on location. They worked long hours as full-time chefs in order to support themselves along with this second job to fuel their new-found passion for ice sculpting. With hardly a penny in the bank yet determined to succeed, Randy and Derek invested everything they had to open Ice Sculptures Ltd in 1994. Some of their earliest sculptures included swans, hearts and buffet pieces made for country clubs throughout Detroit and Grand Rapids, Mich. More than 15 years later, the company is thriving, with a crew of 6. The projects just keep getting bigger as the chainsaw-wielding team creates out-of-this-world ice sculptures for countless clients and special events. The company motto remains simple yet focused: Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
Randy and Derek’s ice carving methods are unparalleled to others in the industry. Many of their techniques and ideas are shared in “Ice Sculpting the Modern Way” (Delmar Learning, 2004) their co-authored book with Robert Garlough, now used worldwide to teach ice sculpting. They were among the first in the industry to fully-incorporate computerized ice sculpting technology (commonly known as an “ice-carving robot”) into their work. Randy and Derek also thrive off competition; they placed among the top 25 in “Artprize”, the world’s largest art contest held every September in Grand Rapids, Mich. They also coached the ice sculptor on the U.S. Pastry team that won “Best Ice Sculpture” in the 2009 Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie in Lyon, France. They are currently the coachs for the ice sculptors for the competition as well. Randy and Derek both live in Grand Rapids, Mich. within a few miles of their office.