About Us

Armitage Ice is a full service ice carving business, partnering with our clients from idea inception to delivery and installation, in order to ensure the success of your event. We take your vision and create functional art using classic ice sculpting tools and methods as well as state of the art CNC technology. Armitage Ice began when the owner and designer, Mark Armitage, started in 1987 dabbling in ice sculpting as a chef. He is self taught and enjoyed it so much that he stepped away from being a chef in 2010 to be a full time ice sculptor creating original custom designs all over the valley. Over 90% of what we do is customized. Armitage ice will work within your budget, offering a variety of services including logos/branding, weddings, food displays, luges, craft ice cubes, bars and demos.

Meet Our Team

The talented artisans and professionals behind every masterpiece

Mark Armitage

Mark Armitage

Founder & Master Ice Sculptor

With over 35 years of experience in the culinary and ice sculpting world, Mark founded Armitage Ice in 1987. His passion for transforming blocks of ice into stunning works of art has made him one of the most respected ice sculptors in the Southwest. Mark's background as a chef brings a unique perspective to food presentation and event design.

FAQ

The life expectancy of a sculpture is determined by the size and delicacy of the piece, the temperature of the area it is set up in, sunlight, and air movement. Most sculptures will last 6 to 8 hours under normal conditions. Larger designs can take days to melt away.

Absolutely not. All sculptures are hand carved or cut using CNC technology and each is unique.

The 40”x20”x10” blocks are made in specially designed machines using the same technology used for cooling freezers except the cooling is on the bottom of the water which makes the ice freeze from the bottom up. The water is circulated using pumps to force all air out of water as it freezes creating a crystal clear ice block.

To move ice around, we use ice tongs, and hand trucks. For most carvings we use a hydraulic lift as a work table so the height can be adjusted. The rough outline is done with a chain saw. High-quality Japanese ice chisels are used for the second stage of most pieces. Also used are die grinders, special router bits, and household irons to warm aluminum plates for welding flat surfaces together as well as CNC technology.

Ice designs vary in price and as the displays get larger or more complex the price goes up. Included in a quoted price is delivery, set up and LED lighted tray. If you require someone to return.

Within the Phoenix metropolitan area is included in the quoted price, deliveries outside that area are subject to delivery fees.

We ask for a 50% Deposit to secure a date and start the design process. All orders placed within 5 business days will incur a $200 Rush Fee. If client needs to cancel an order, a full refund will be given a month out from event, 50% 7 days prior to event and No Refunds within 6 days of event.

Personal attention and professionalism, that comes from almost 20 years of experience in sculpting ice and 30 years in the hospitality industry as a chef. Consultation and design. Delivery inside the Metropolitan Phoenix area, set-up, LED lighted trays and drainage. Breakdown serves at the end of event is available for an additional fee. Discountsavailable for returning equipment.

Fill out a Contact Form on our website. Supply us with any artwork, high resolution files: EPS, AI, PDF or information about your requested piece. Provide strong table to set the sculpture on. Linens to match your décor, one for the table, and if desired, one to cover the light tray.

Most pieces are easy to remove and dispose of at the end of event. Breakdown by our team is available for an extra fee. Breakdown of large jobs will be factored into the price.

Two weeks is fine, but for large jobs and during busy times such as holidays, a month ahead is needed. All orders placed within 5 business days will incur a $200 Rush Fee.