Franksville couple embraces bitter cold with their ice sculpting business



FRANKSVILLE (WITI) -- While some are griping about the cold, Max and Jeanne Zuleta don't mind it at all.

"It can be very odd, ironic but yet it doesn't allow a day to go by that's dull," said Jeanne.

And their story is quite ironic. The two first met at an ice sculpting competition in Chicago. At the time, Max was living in tropical Venezuela where he says he owned the only ice sculpting business in the country.

"I thought it was going to be a very interesting hobby. I just started doing it on the weekends just for fun and eventually it took over," said Max.

Over time, they fell in love.

In 2004, the couple opened Art Below Zero in Franksville. As self-proclaimed ice farmers...

"We harvest blocks of ice everyday," Max said as he laughed.

They design and create masterpieces that melt, meaning the Zuleta's actually prefer the long winter months over summer.

"Some of the hardest times in the year for us is when it's 100 degrees and that melts the sculptures fast and that happens to be our busiest season of the year the summer weddings," said Max.

Whether it's January or July you'll see Max and Jeanne in coats and snowpants. But coping with the cold is worth it for them.

"You get used to it. Your blood thickens as you work in the cold and you don't feel it as much," said Max.

As enjoying each of their one of a kind works of art is a once in a lifetime experience.

For more information on Art Below Zero, CLICK HERE.