Arts Design

THE ART OF VACATIONS NOW

Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.

What’s the best art to see and create on a summer vacation? Sand sculptures, of course? We found some wonderful sand sculpture festivals happening right now to share with you.

1. FIESA INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL

May 25 - Oct 25, 2014

Pera, Algarve, Portugal

This festival is a very big deal.

In terms of amount of sand used, it is one of the biggest. Over 40,000 tons of sand forms this massive sand sculpture exhibition, held annually in the Algarve.

This year’s theme is Music, with representations of a number of famous musical acts including Bono, the Beatles, Lady Gaga, Pink Floyd, Freddie Mercury Madonna, and Amy Winehouse, scheduled to make appearances. In other genres, Ray Charles, Pavarotti and Mozart will strike a sandy pose.

Crafted by some of the best sculptors around, Some of these creations took over 7 days to produce.

The exhibition covers about 15,000 square meters. The sculptures themselves a mammoth, with some sculptures that reach as high as twelve meters. As we said, it’s a very big deal.

2. NEPTUNE INTERNATIONAL SANDSCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIP

Sep 26 - Oct 5, 2014

Virginia Beach, VA

The 10-day International SandSculpting Championship, held at Virginia Beach, includes beautiful work done by both singles and double teams, with both masters and amateurs participating.

The quality of the sculptures can vary, but there are always at least a few that are jaw droppingly incredible -- definitely worth the visit.

And if you’ve always wondered how the masters do it, or just wanted to learn to sand sculpt, the Neptune Festival has you covered with a number of teaching demos from the best of the best.

There will be live music to enjoy as you ogle.

Festival proceeds will help to fund the The Governor's School for the Arts, a regional center for innovation that develops excellence, nurtures creativity, inspires artistic vision and builds communities with a passion for the Arts.

3. UNITED STATES SAND SCULPTING CHALLENGE

Aug 29 - Sept 1, 2014

San Diego, CA

Master sand sculptors from Singapore, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Latvia and Canada, come to challenge the best the United States has to offer at the United States Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego, CA.

50,000 people have traditionally shown up to this marvelous 4-day sand sculpting extravaganza.

This year is expected to be especially competitive, with the face-off between the US, which won in 2012, and Latvia, 2013’s winner.

Many sculptures weigh over 10 tons. You can find fine art sculpture in other media as well, including metal and glass, acrylics and ceramics, wood and fabric, and gemstones. And check out the painting and photography exhibitions as well.

Make sure to check out the sculptures at night. Lit with colored lights, they look absolutely spectacular.

Enjoy a live big band, a dozen gourmet food trucks, kids sandcastle building lessons, and rides to round out your beautiful day at this beach.

4. SANDCASTLE DAYS

Oct 3 - 5 2014

South Padre Island, TX

If you’re a bit more of a traditionalist when it comes to your sand sculptures, preferring to stick to magnificent versions of the castles you made on the beach as a kid, then Sandcastle Days, at South Padre Island, TX, on the Gulf of Mexico, is perfect for you.

Started to showcase the sand of South Padre Island and to spread awareness for shore protection, Sandcastle Days will provide you with hands down some of the best castles you’ve ever seen.

Master Sand sculptors Walter McDonald(aka Amazin Walter) and Lucinda Wierenga (aka Sandy Feet) are South Padre Island residents who, 26 years ago, started Sandcastle Days. It is still a family-fun event even though it now qualifies for the World Championships of Sand Sculpting.

More than 30,000 fans turn out to see this awesome event, which is now entering its 27th year.

5. CARVE SAN FRANCISCO

October 15 - 17, 2014

San Francisco, CA

Carve San Francisco one sand sculpture festival that is truly dedicated to the beauty of sand sculpting.

International sculptors each shape 12 tons of sand to create their intricate and impressive works. Over 200 tons of sand get turned into art here, including modern, abstract, surreal, and literal carvings.

In addition to the sand sculptures, check out wonderful art, the latest smart car technology, icy Finlandia cocktails and Longboard Island Lager, all with the Golden Gate Bridge gleaming in the distance.

Last year, this incredible sculpting event ran from October 18th to 20th, so keep your calendars open around those dates for when this year’s version is announced.

6. AMERICAN SAND SCULPTING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nov 21 - 30, 2014

Fort Myers Beach, FL

Not to be confused with the US Sand Sculpting Championships, the 28th annual American Sandsculpting Championship, in Fort Myers, FL, is another of our favorites that promises to wow this year, as it has every year.

The event is considered by aficionados to be one of the 10 best competitions of its kind in the world, and with master sculptors from all over the world creating ephemeral masterpieces.

Over 1,000 tons of sand will be used for this event. One sculpture alone, last year, was a massive 350 ton piece.

This year, check out some cool festival features:

Quick Sand Speed Sculpting – Watch two sculptors face off in a 10 minute sculpt off. The audience chooses the winner.
Sand Sculpting Demonstrations and Lessons –Learn the Tricks of the Master Sculptors.
Amateur Contest – Open to anyone and all levels of sculptors, try your hand at sand sculpting.
State Championships – This is a competition where an advanced amateur sand sculptor can prove their abilities and get one step closer to being accepted as a Master Sculptor.

7. NAVARRE BEACH SOFT PACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Sep 26 - 28, 2014

Navarre Beach, FL

Master sculptors and amateurs will come together to compete at the 5th annual Soft Pack National Championship, at Navarre Beach, FL, one of 10 National Seashores in the US.

Originally started to show off the beautiful quartz sand of Navarre Beach, sculptures here look particularly bright and pure. Competitors come from all over the world to take part, so its a guarantee you’ll be impressed by what is produced.

This event includes fun activities such as Quick Sand Speed Sculpting Shows, Sand Sculpting Demonstrations and Lessons, an amateur contest, and more.

Read more about Beautiful Vacations, as they relate to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact. Including Beautiful Retreat Treats, Fascinating Beach Dunes Now and A Grape Place To Stay.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Vacations in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 08.17.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

Photo Credits:

Photo: Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.
Photo: Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.
Photo: Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.
Photo: Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.
Photo: Courtesy of FIESA. Sculpture from the 2014 FIESA.
Photo: by Matt. Previous sculpture from the Neptune Festival.
Photo: by Matt. Previous sculpture from the Neptune Festival.
Photo: Courtesy of the Kozusko Family. Previous sculpture from the Neptune Festival.
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S Sand Sculpting Challenge. Past Challenge Sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S Sand Sculpting Challenge. Past Challenge Sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the U.S Sand Sculpting Challenge. Past Challenge Sculpture.
Photo: by Liza Lagman Sperl. Previous Sandcastle Days Sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of Sandcastle Days. Previous Sandcastle Days Sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of South Padre Island. Sandcastle Days Sculpture.
Photo: by Audrey. Sculpture from Carve San Francisco.
Photo: Courtesy of Carve San Francisco. 2013 Carve Sandsculpture.
Photo: by Verbal Dudette.Carve San Francisco sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the American Sand Sculpting Championships. 2013 Championships sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the American Sand Sculpting Championships. 2013 Championships sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the American Sand Sculpting Championships. 2013 Championships sculpture.
Photo: Courtesy of the American Sand Sculpting Championships. 2013 Championships sculpture.
Photo: by M. M. Meeks. Sculpture from Navarre Beach Sand Sculpture Festival.
Photo: by M. M. Meeks. Sculpture from Navarre Beach Sand Sculpture Festival.
Photo: Courtesy of See Beautiful Places. Sand Castle.