Artists Transform 300 Tons Of Sand Into Works Of Art During Sanding Ovations

TREASURE ISLAND, FL — Their art studio is the beach and their muse is the ocean and its marine life for these artists who eschew clay, marble and wood in favor of pure white beach sand.

Residents will have a chance to see these artists at work for themselves as the annual Sanding Ovations sand-sculpting exhibition and competition runs through next weekend.

During the event, master sand sculptors from around North America are being challenged to transform 300 tons of sand and buckets of water into works of art on Treasure Island's beach at 10400 Gulf Blvd., vying for a chance to win the Sanding Ovations Masters Cup.

This year's artists creating sculptures based on the theme, "Sandlantis," are Sue McGrew of Tacoma, Washington; Deborah Barrett-Cutulle of Saugus, Massachusetts; Melineige Beauregard of Montreal, Canada; Manuel Campos of Jacksonville; Damon Meri of Indian Rocks Beach; Abe Waterman of Canada; and Bruce Phillips who has participated in sculpture competitions in 13 countries including Tokyo and Amsterdam.

The 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.

In addition to the "Sandlantis" sculpture exhibit, the event will feature a food court, beer garden and an arts and crafts marketplace with more than 90 vendors.

Kites and night flies Nov. 26-28 will be provided by Windworks of Madeira Beach with fireworks lighting up the night sky on Saturday Nov. 20, and local, regional and national touring bands providing music throughout the event.

Musicians Performing:

• Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. School of Rock
• Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. Alex Hayes
• Saturday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. Angie Rey
• Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. Tobacco Road Band
• Sunday, Nov. 21 at noon Dennis Wallace
• Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. The Applebutter Express
• Sunday, Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. Dead Set Florida
• Friday, Nov. 26 at noon Leon Vincent
• Friday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. Seth Campbell
• Friday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. Emcee Johnny G
• Saturday, Nov. 27 at noon Emcee Johnny G
• Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. Eddie Wright
• Saturday, Nov. 27 at 4 p.m. Dennis Wallace
• Sunday, Nov. 28 at noon Eric Yoder
• Sunday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. Josh Fielding
• Sunday, Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. Emcee Johnny G

The event is free and open to the public. No pets are allowed. Beach wheelchairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the information tent.

The event runs:

• 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.

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.

Parking lots near the event are expected to fill up fast and early. For those attending, parking information can be found here, including parking lots with shuttle service and parking lots within walking distance of the event.

For information, click here.

See related story: Sculptors To Create Works Of Art With Treasure Island Beach Sand