Playing in the sand isn’t just for kids — at least it wasn’t in Key West over Thanksgiving weekend. There, six leading sand sculptors from several countries competed in the second annual International Sand Art Competition.
Now remember, this took place at the end of November — and people in many U.S. and international cities were freezing their drumsticks off on Thanksgiving weekend. But in Key West, the artists gathered on the Casa Marina Resort’s wide sandy beach beside the blue Atlantic Ocean, and got ready to wow scores of spectators with their talent.
Rusty Croft puts finishing touches on his sand art salute to the movie “Star Wars” at the Key West competition. (Photos here and above by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)
Each artist got about 15,000 pounds of sand, and had 30 hours to craft a sculpture out of nothing more than sand and water.
“They start with a big pile of fluffy sand that they have to compact and compress and carve,” explained event organizer and founder Marianne van den Broek of Key West’s Sand-Isle Professional Sand Sculpting, who’s a master sand artist herself. “There’s no set theme, so they can express their own creativity as best as they can.”
While expressing their creativity, the competing artists weren’t allowed to use electric tools, molds or glue. Instead, they were limited to using hand tools such as trowels and brushes.
“Something I really like about it is you can work with it a lot with your hands,” said competitor Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island, Canada. “You don’t need power tools — you don’t need a special bag of tools to work with it — so it’s really hands-on.”
Abe Waterman works on his intricate sculpted tribute to Jimi Hendrix. (Photo by Rob O’Neal, Florida Keys News Bureau)
As well as Abe, the international field included defending champion Benjamin Probanza of Mexico, Susanne Ruseler of the Netherlands, Missouri sculptor Dan Belcher, Key West’s Chris Guinto, and Californian Rusty Croft (who, by the way, hosts the television reality show “Sand Masters”).
And as might be expected from such an elite field, the large-scale pieces these creative spirits crafted were nothing less than stupendous. Spectators meandered through the oceanfront competition area while the artists worked, marveling at the detailed sculptures they carved out of nothing but sand.
The sculptures stood up to seven feet tall. Some were notable for their concept and dramatic lines, like Susanne’s pensive “Memories” and Rusty Croft’s “The Legacy Continues,” a Star Wars salute featuring a hooded character framed by Darth Vader’s signature helmet.
And some were flat-out amazing. Dan Belcher’s “The Will to Be,” depicted a beautifully rendered male figure emerging from a block of “stone.”
Dan Belcher’s powerful sand sculpture was titled “The Will to Be.”
Abe Waterman’s rock-and-roll piece, titled “Color of a Dream,” blended a stunningly detailed tree and an oversized guitar with a sculpted portrait of musical legend Jimi Hendrix. It was inspired, Abe reported, by the Hendrix song “One Rainy Wish” — and the intricate sculpture included virtually all the symbolic elements of the song.
When the votes were tallied and the sand settled (metaphorically speaking), Abe had captured the competition’s Conch Republic and People’s Choice awards, while Dan Belcher received the Sculptors’ Choice award.
But the challenge’s attractions went far beyond awards — particularly for Abe, whose Canadian home is typically WAY chillier than Key West’s balmy early-winter climate.
“In Canada we don’t get to sand sculpt into November, so it’s really nice to be down here enjoying the hot weather,” he admitted with a grin.
