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“What motivates us is the ability to create something really big, creative and impactful as a team,” said ice carver Matt Meadows of Pleasant Valley. “It’s a weird community of people who create things that go away. It’s like ice Instagram.” 
Meadows has volunteered his time to Downtown Davenport Partnership’s Icestravaganza for the past 10 years – organizing, creating and carving his way through an event that continues to be a winter favorite for Quad Citizens. He and a crew of 4 other carvers from throughout the Midwest will spend this week focused on carving around 120 ice blocks, or roughly 18 tons of ice.
“Our original goal was to create a visual event that would bring families downtown - and we succeeded. I appreciate DDP standing behind this event, allowing it to grow and sticking with it,” said Meadows.
Meadows, an executive chef at the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf, says he enjoys taking the week off to focus on this sport that brings together a tight-knit group of carvers, who’ve become friends. “It’s our yearly chance to get together and learn from each other.” He is particularly excited to have a new master carver, Terry Reis joining the team this year. “Terry is the new guy – he has a fascinating background. We all agreed that he’s another carver we can learn a lot from. Everyone does something a little differently.” (See Terry’s bio below).
Blocks of ice will be delivered to downtown Davenport early in the week from a factory in Minnesota. Meadows explained that it will take a couple of days to move and place the blocks, and fuse them together with water. Once fused, the carvers can draw outlines on their blocks with their designs. Designs are thought out well ahead of time, with the group brainstorming the theme and their individual ideas in the fall. They landed on ‘Mystical Monsters under the Sea’ for the 2024 theme. Early planning is important, so each artist can decide how many ice blocks they’ll need to bring their ideas to life.
Armed with the tools of the trade, Meadows and company will use chainsaws, rasps, chisels, ice tongs, die grinders, aluminum plates, blow torches and nail boards (for roughing the ice to make it easier to work with) to carve and detail the sculptures. “Yes, the chainsaws are electric, so we wear rubber boots and rubber gloves to ground ourselves.”
By late in the week, the artists will be moving into the last stages of their designs in preparation for Friday’s unveiling. “Keeping an eye on the weather is essential to good outcomes,” said Meadows. “Even a 15 degree, but sunny day can be a game changer.” With a snowy and chilly week ahead of him, he said it’s probably going to be a great weather year.
But at the end of the day, it’s about inspiring the next generation of carvers. “I’ve always been involved in events and competitions that support young people and get them excited and engaged to be creative.”
Hometown: Oelwein, Iowa
Day job: 25 years as a chef, plus 20 years in food sales working from home. This provided flexibility for my carving business to grow times 10.
How did you learn to ice carve?
It was introduced at culinary school, but only during one class. It sparked my interest, so I bought a block and took it to my hometown country club where I worked and spent three hours trying to carve a swan. When I took a job at the Marriott in Des Moines, I would do two for brunch every Sunday. That gave me a chance to practice, create and have fun.
What types of events do you attend and in what other cities?
During the winter months, I do several exhibitions, mostly around the Des Moines area. I have also carved at the Iowa State Fair for 32 years. If you’ve ever seen the World-Famous Butter Cow, you had to walk by a freezer full of ice carvings.
What is special about the Quad Cities event?
Icestravaganza is the only event I attend that offers so many blocks to carve. This makes for a great display that gets the whole city involved. Also, lighting them at night with different colored lights brings them to life, and gives the display another dimension. The location is perfect as well; the shops, farmers market, brewery, restaurants and live carving demonstration on Saturday make for a fun environment.
What sculpture or project are you most proud of?
The ones that light up the younger ones' faces and inspire them to create. It’s a unique medium that isn’t displayed too often, but when it is, everyone thinks it’s cool. It’s nice to hear all the compliments and nice comments. However, it’s a dying art in this area, so if we can inspire the next generation of carvers, then that is what we are the proudest of.
Hometown: Clarksville, IA
Day job: Retired Certified Chef, handyman and husband
How long have you been coming to Icestravaganza, and why do you like being a part of the event?
I have been coming to Icestravaganza for 11 years and I like the opportunity to work with the other carvers who have become a good group to have our annual gathering with. It’s a great place to get ideas, learn and gain contacts/friends.
How did you learn to ice carve? How many years have you been doing it?
I’ve been carving ice since 1982, when I was working under a Chef at the Marriott in Denver, CO. My first ice carving was a pig for a banquet event and my third carving was an eagle for a reception for Nancy Reagan.
What sculpture or project are you most proud of?
I was in charge of one event in Denver where we built a castle out of 286 blocks of ice. It had a 28-foot tower with a spiral staircase going to the second floor.
Did you/do you have a favorite theme for this or any event you've been a part of?
I like doing large multi-block carvings involving mystical beasts and animals.
What do you love about your craft?
It’s not like any other art form. The medium for this art is harder than steel but more fragile than glass. It seems to be an art form that fewer people are participating in, which probably has to do with being out in the elements for up to 10-12 hours. It is great to see the look on people's faces when they see the finished pieces.
Hometown: Native Minnesotan, turned Southeast Iowan
Day job: Chef for over 40 years; certified Professional Master Ice Carver and Competition Ice Carver with the National Ice Carving Association in Chicago.
How did you learn to ice carve?
When I was a sous-chef at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, I was asked to create an ice carving for Sunday brunch. I didn’t know that request would quickly grow to 20 ice sculptures per week for the hotel’s weekly buffets and catered events, or that it would become a lifelong pursuit.
What types of events do you attend and in what other cities?
During my time in Minnesota, I’ve been an ice carver competitor, as well as the Ice Competition Event Coordinator for the renowned St. Paul Winter Carnival, a 100-year-old festival with ice sculptures as the heart of the event. This is my first year at Icestravaganza.
What are you most proud of?
My love of ice carving is now being handed down to my children. As a team, we placed 1st in the Multi-Block Competition in St. Paul last year. I’ve also worked with the Minnesota Film Board creating ice sculptures for the movies "Jingle All The Way" and "Mighty Ducks Two." My work has been featured in National Geographic Explorer, Sports Illustrated, International Titanic Exhibit and Good Morning America.