4 minute read
Break the Ice with Lexington Ice Sculptures
From watching his dad
create masterpieces out of ice to creating icy masterpieces of his own, Matthew Stoddart has been hooked on ice sculpting since he entered his first competition at age 13. Almost 15 years later, Matthew is now the Lead Ice Artist at Lexington Ice Sculptures, where he and his team create anything and everything you can imagine out of ice!
“Our company, Lexington Ice Sculptures, started with my father who has over 25 years of experience in ice sculpting,” explains Matthew. “Each block is a blank canvas that I transform into unique sculptures that can also be functional and interactive, leaving lifelong memories for any event.”
Matthew adds, “With the constant growth of technology and tools, our state of the art ice sculpting business has evolved into what it is today, with more innovation on the horizon!”
Before there was Lexington Ice Sculptures, Matthew’s parents, Kellie and Michael Stoddart, took their passions for food and hospitality to a new level, opening Seasons Catering. Now in its 27th year, and with the added ice aspect, Seasons Catering encompasses a one stop shop for any and all events.
“My parents built both of their companies from the ground up and have been in the food and hospitality world longer than I’ve been alive,” laughs Matthew. “They are by far the hardest working individuals I know and it shows with all they’ve accomplished in the past 27 years. Even before I got my hands on a chainsaw, I would see my dad practicing for competitions and it was so fascinating to me. As I got older, he started taking me to these ice sculpting competitions to be his assistant, and when I was 13, my dad entered me in my very first ice sculpting competition. I ended up placing second and I’ve been hooked ever since!”
Within the past 5 years, Matthew has expanded Lexington Ice Sculptures beyond just ice. He has also begun sculpting fruit, cheese, vegetables and pumpkins. So, if you’re planning your next tailgate, spooky Halloween party, or autumn get together, Matthew can help you bring your perfect vision to life!
“At Lexington Ice Sculptures, we provide the best quality ice to our clients,” Matthew explained. “Whether it’s a 2x2” cocktail cube or a massive ice bar, we have a very strict standard of what any product should look like before it leaves our freezers, so we can ensure lifelong memories for every client.”
When Matthew is outside the freezer, he is deeply passionate about his faith, family, and friends. “I set God on the back burner for a while, but when I found my faith again in April 2022 it changed everything” smiles Matthew. “Within three months of having Jesus in my day to day life, I made the best decision of my life and had a close friend baptize me in an ice bath!”
Matthew gives thanks to his friends and family who have been an immense support system over the last few (crazy) years, saying that being able to spend quality time with his friends and family is what makes life worth living.
It may not be easy work moving 300 pound blocks of ice, working in an 18 degree freezer, and getting snow in places you didn’t know could go, but Matthew will never tire of sharing his passion. Matthew encourages everyone to work to live – not live to work – keep an open mind, smile, laugh and be willing to help others daily. As he says, “Like ice sculptures, we’re only here in this world for a short time; live it to the fullest!”
An ice sculpture fit for Queen B!
Matthew recently had the pleasure of creating two ice sculptures for the Queen B herself, Beyoncé. The performer took the stage at Louisville’s L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium this July with her Renaissance world tour. Matthew created her iconic bee, as well as a crowned B monogram to celebrate the singer. This isn’t his first brush with fame, of course. He and his sculptures have appeared on television, been featured at festivals and brought the magic to countless events. From frozen shot glasses to showstopping ice thrones, he’s done it all. As Matthew likes to point out, ice sculptures aren’t “just swans” anymore – though he can certainly make one, if that’s what you’re after. Pretty cool, huh? •
