Arts & Entertainment

Sand Sculptors To Compete For Most 'Out-Sanding' Art At Treasure Island Nov. 18-21

Top sand-sculpting artists from around the country will converge on Treasure Island's beach for the 2021 Sanding Ovations.

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Sand sculptures in past years have included this dramatic monkey duo captured at sunset by photographer Bernard Littlefield. (Bernard Littlefield/courtesy city of Treasure Island )
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Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Sanding Ovations was held as usual in 2020. (Sanding Ovations)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20211007/051339/styles/patch_image/public/126097003-3568125593249062-784965651456821193-n___07170839930.jpg
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Sanding Ovations was held as usual in 2020. (Sanding Ovations)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20211007/051339/styles/patch_image/public/126959782-3571183842943237-8391269197411238118-n___07170913342.jpg
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Sanding Ovations was held as usual in 2020. (Sanding Ovations)
https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22976176/20211007/051339/styles/patch_image/public/126163785-3571183982943223-1844310095805161373-n___07170955586.jpg
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Sanding Ovations was held as usual in 2020. (Sanding Ovations)

TREASURE ISLAND, FL — The Sanding Ovations sand-sculpting exhibition and competition is making a strong comeback in Treasure Island with a second weekend and the addition of a kite festival.

Top sand-sculpting artists from around the country will converge on Treasure Island's beach at 10400 Gulf Blvd. for the 2021 Sanding Ovations Nov. 18-21 and Nov. 26-28.

Master sculptors will use their imaginations to turn piles of sand and buckets of water into"outSANDing" works of art, all for a chance to win the Masters Cup.

Find out what's happening in Pinellas Beachesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The masterful exhibition of sand-sculpting talent will be supplemented by the sponsor sculptures created by Treasure Island's own professional sand sculptors, Meredith and Dan Doubleday of Sanding Ovations.

This year's "Sandlantis" theme will be created by sculptors Sue McGrew, Deborah Barrett-Cutulle, Melineige Beauregard, Manuel Campos, Damon Meri, Abe Waterman and Bruce Phillips.

Find out what's happening in Pinellas Beachesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In addition to the "Sandlantis" sculpture exhibit, the event will feature a food court, beer garden and arts and crafts marketplace. Kites and night flies Nov. 26-28 will be provided by Windworks of Madeira Beach with fireworks lighting up the night sky on Saturday night, and local, regional and national touring bands providing music throughout the event.

The event is free and open to the public.

Treasure Island has a long history of sand sculpture competitions and exhibitions. In 1985, the beach was home to the world's largest sand castle And, in 2001, then-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush proclaimed Treasure Island the Sand Sculpture Capital of Florida, leading to the creation of Sanding Ovations.

The event runs:

  • Thursday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with fireworks at 10 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • The Kite Festival will take place Nov. 26-28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, click here.

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