Our connection with Dundee began in early December 2023 when our ice artist, Claire, traveled north to perform a live ice sculpture carve of magnificent angel wings.
Claire returned absolutely buzzing from the event, not just because of the enthusiastic crowds, but because of the palpable excitement from the council team. Rebecca from Dundee City Council was particularly enthusiastic about future possibilities—a clear indication that we had made a positive, lasting impression.
Fast forward a year, and we were thrilled to get the call! Rebecca reached out, eager to incorporate the magic of ice into this year’s much-anticipated Christmas light switch on. The brief: three bespoke ice sculptures to delight the thousands of families attending the landmark light switch-on event.
Crafting the Perfect Frozen Experience
The challenge of creating ephemeral art for a long, high-energy public event is always one we relish. Our sales point of contact, Jocasta, jumped straight into the planning phase with Rebecca.
Our discussions covered several critical elements:
- Interactivity: How could the sculptures engage the public beyond just looking?
- Colour & Pop: Given the daytime start and evening finish, how could we ensure the ice truly “popped“ in the festive atmosphere?
- Longevity: The event spanned a huge 9 hours (10 am – 7 pm). The designs and display methods had to guarantee the ice sculptures remained pristine and impressive until the very end.
This collaborative approach is what we pride ourselves on. We don’t offer off-the-shelf solutions; we engineer custom art that is structurally sound and visually stunning for the client’s exact needs.
Meet the Frozen Trio
To fulfil the vision, we crafted a charming set of three sculptures that were an instant hit:
- Vibrant Candy Canes: To nail the colour requirement and ensure maximum festive visibility, these canes were infused with colour, making them truly pop at the event.
- A Cute Gingerbread Man: This classic Christmas character brought a touch of whimsical, family-friendly fun.
- A Bespoke Ice Frame: The ultimate interactive piece! This provided a stunning, unique photo opportunity for families, perfectly capturing their day in Dundee.
The Elves on the Ground
Bringing the magic to the streets were our two expert ‘elf helpers,’ Dave and Ronnie. Their day started very early morning, setting up the ice sculptures in their carefully selected, safe locations across the event locations. Once the sculptures were in place they went off for a well-deserved cuppa and breakfast.
After breakfast Dave and Ronnie donned their best elfish gear and became essential parts of the event experience . They stewarded the sculptures, answered questions, and posed for countless photos with delighted families, ensuring the day’s memories were preserved alongside the ice art. At the end of the event our elves changed back into their protective ice gear and disposed of the ice sculptures which had held up very well over the long event day with the mild weather.
A Buzzing Day of Festive Joy
The atmosphere in Dundee was truly electric. The event was absolutely buzzing, filled with families sporting massive smiles. The council had curated a fantastic program that offered something for everyone, including bustling markets, fun crafts, and incredible street entertainment. Highlights included the mesmerising living lampposts and the breathtaking aerial arch aerobics.
The whole day kicked off, as is tradition, with the heartwarming Santa Dash. Seeing so many people participating and raising over £1,000 for the brilliant Kids Tayside & Fife charity added a wonderful sense of community spirit to the occasion.
We were delighted to note that, despite the long day, our bespoke sculptures held up beautifully, remaining a focal point and looking fantastic right until the 7pm finish.
The event was a resounding success, and we couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in adding a touch of frozen sparkle to the city’s wonderful festive spirit. We really hope to work again with Dundee in the future on other similar events.
