Ice takes many shapes under sculptor's hands

LEHI — Theron Kingston is fine sculpting ice in front of a crowd.

He enjoys the pressure and finds a lot of energy generated by working with an audience.

But it also brings with it a sense of danger since the ice can be unpredictable and somewhat fickle, particularly when the weather is a little warm.

"Sometimes the ice cracks and shatters. Sometimes it's too warm for a part to fuse well." Kingston said. "With ice, it can't be too cold or too hot. Things happen."

The best scenario is a temperature of about 18 degrees.

Kingston is hoping the weather will be that cold as he carves in Lehi at Thanksgiving Point the next two Mondays.

Above 30 degrees, there will likely be problems.

Over the years, Kingston has seen plenty of disasters. But generally, he's seen stunning beauty and remarkable images emerge from blocks of ice.

Kingston works for Spiffy Ice and Cold Storage Company in Salt Lake and has been carving professionally for about 15 years. He's one of a handful of ice sculptors working in Utah.

There are 400 registered ice carvers in the National Ice Carvers Association.

It's delicate and dangerous work and it takes years to get good at it.

His portfolio includes carving for President George W. Bush, Nu Skin, Fidelity Investments and the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, producing numerous Olympic logos, some famous Utah landmarks and a U.S. Olympic Stadium miniature.

Kingston had been working for several years when one of the store's carvers suggested he learn the trade. However, when he went to pick up a carving tool, the carver made it clear he wasn't to touch any of his tools.

The next guy who suggested he learn to carve was more generous with his tools and his expertise.

"We carved together for several years after that," Kingston said. "I learned to carve and he got a free carver!"

It generally cost thousands of dollars to go to school to learn to sculpt in ice and the tools are expensive. Chisels are $300 each and a carver needs 10. Plus there are grinders and rasps and saws and sanders to buy.

In addition, an ice sculptor needs good gloves, a warm jacket, eye guards and a good splash apron. Without one, the carver quickly becomes soaked and loses body heat.