Meet us where ice is art
When Jim Nadeau started Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures in Forest Park, he likely had no idea that he was shaping what would become the oldest ice-sculpting operation in America.
Today, an entire team of expert ice sculptors at Nadeau’s carve blocks of ice into dramatic designs for parties, weddings, and major events. That ice sculpture you see at a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game? Or at the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights? You better believe they come to life inside this ice-sculpting operation in Forest Park.
The artists here like to have a little fun with ice. Like the time that six ice sculptures suddenly appeared throughout downtown Homewood to celebrate the holidays during the winter when social distancing was a necessity.
Then there was the time an ice sculptor took a chain saw to a block of ice outside of the Forest Park Public Library, carving a huge “100” in honor of the library’s centennial celebration.
Contact Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures directly to schedule a tour or to talk about creating an ice sculpture. Contact for quotes and tours: (708) 366-3333 or info@nadeauice.com
Costs vary for ice sculptures depending on size, style, and event, but reviewers are thrilled that even small budgets can garner large sculptures.
There is always an expert ice sculptor from the Nadeau’s team ready to walk you through a scheduled tour of the ice house. Often ice sculptors are chefs who learn their ice craft in a restaurant.
Your guide will explain that the perfect sculpting ice is clear and soft while ice that is too cold or foggy will simply shatter. In a lesson that reminds us of the tongue-on-flagpole scene in “A Christmas Story,” you’ll learn how water serves as the glue to ice.
Fire creates the water that fuses everything together, so expect to see some blow torches when you visit Nadeau’s!
Located at 7623 Roosevelt Road in Forest Park, Nadeau’s is a 15-minute walk from the Forest Park Stop on the CTA Blue Line.
