35th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition--It was Beacherific

Beach sand spurs an irresistible creative urge in us to dig into it and shape it into whatever our imaginations can conjure up. Local sand lovers gathered once again on the Isle of Palms for the 35th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition to satisfy that compelling urge all in the name of fun, while a large crowd of observers enjoyed the spectacle as they roamed through the rows of sand art with cameras and cell phones in hand taking pictures. The competition began at 9:00 am and prizes were awarded at 1:00 pm.

The judges, which included Rob Fowler and Grace Lowe of News 2, Brendan Clark and Carolyn Murray, had the honor of picking the winners, and with all the great entries, it was a difficult task. As to having a great time, everyone was a winner.

Categories Included:

Adult (21 and up)

Family (1 adult and 1 child/young adult)

Young Adult (Ages 15-20)

Children's (14 and under)

Teams were limited to four people.

Prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age division along with Best Architectural, Most Creative and Overall Best in Show.

Last year's winners were Island Tails for Best of Children's, Speedo 07 for Best of Young Adults, Pout Pout for Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award - Best of Family, Charleston Drip Company for Best Architectural, Seal of Approval for Most Creative, Vintage Since 1978 for Best of Adults, and Once Upon A Time for Best of Show - Overall.

This year's winners are Wish Upon a Star for Best of Children's, King Fu Wave for Best of Young Adults, Sea Bisquit for Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award - Best of Family, Giant Castle by the Sea for Best Architectural, Big Al for Most Creative, Saving Money for Best of Adults, and Riverdogs Days of Summer for Best of Show - Overall.

My favorite

Enjoy the pictures of this year's sand sculptures, both artistic and humorous. Which was your favorite?

34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition--It was Sandtastic

Every time I vacation on a beach, I can't help myself. I have an irresistible urge to dig around in the sand and sculpt something, usually hammerheads or sea turtles. One time, I sculpted a human head with its hands sticking out of the sand. I added seaweed for hair and etched in the sand the words, "Help me." A couple walking along the shore stopped and asked me if I did it for a living and whether I worked for the resort as a sand sculptor. I slyly smiled and said no.

Sand sculpting contests have been a long standing tradition for one of Charleston's barrier islands, where sun and beach lovers gathered once again on the sands of that barrier island for the 34th Annual Piccolo Spoleto Sand Sculpting Competition. Front Beach, on the Isle of Palms, is the famed sandy shore where it all takes place. I have been taking pictures of the event since 2011.

 

It was high tide when the competition began at 9 am, so the transforming sand piles were stretched across the beach for a good distance from near the pier on down far beyond Coconut Joes, where the main tent was set up and awards handed out to the chosen.

Competitor divisions included children ages 14 and under; young adult, 15 to 20; family - at least one adult and one child or young adult; and adult, 21 and older. Prizes were awarded to the top three in each category, along with the additional judged categories of Most Creative, Best Architectural and Best in Show. Judges included News 2's Carolyn Murray, Rob Fowler, and Brendan Clark.

List of winners in each category are as follows:

Best of Children's

1st – Site T – Island Tails

2nd – Site S – Feeling Fintastic on IOP

3rd – Site II – Just Chum

Best of Young Adults

1st – Site M – Speedo 07

Charlie Peberdy Memorial Award – Best of Family

1st – Site GG – Pout Pout

2nd – Site 29 – Will you Calamarry Me?

3rd – Site CC – Mama Sea Turtle and her Babies

Best Architectural

1st – Site A – Charleston Drip Company

2nd – Site 33 – Castle James

3rd – Site 27 – The Bridge

Most Creative

1st – Site I – Seal of Approval

2nd – Site Q – Coach Potatopus

3rd – Site C – Save the Bees

Best of Adults

1st – Site H – Vintage Since 1978

2nd – Site 24 – Wiley Coyote

3rd – Site J – MC Octs 2023

Best of Show – Overall

Site FF – Once Upon A Time

Enjoy the pictures.

Piccolo Spoleto Festival Fun-Sand Sculpting Competition On Isle Of Palms

Everytime I vacation on the beach somewhere I can't help myself. I have an irresistable urge to dig around in the sand and sculpt something, usually hammerheads or sea turtles. One time, when I was staying at the quaint oceanside condo resort called the Lahaina Inn Resort on Fort Meyers Beach, I sculpted a human head with its hands sticking out of the sand. I added seaweed for hair and etched in the sand the words, "Help me." A couple walking along the shore stopped and asked me if I did it for a living and whether I worked for the resort as a sand sculptor. I slyly smiled and said no. Another time I made Mount Rushmore with Disney characters instead of presidents. I am also a Disney enthusiast on top of it.

The Piccolo Spoleto Festival begins May 27 and there are plenty of things to see and do, including a sand sculpting competition to encourage appreciation for art and the environment. It will take place on the Isle of Palms at Front Beach on May 28 from 9am to noon. Admission is free. Bring your shovels, buckets and sand utensils. Fun for the whole family. Cameras are encouraged. Hopefully the weather will cooperate because sand mixed with  large volumes of water don't adhere together well. Map location.

Other ways to enjoy the celebration of art are the exibits, both painting and photography. Piccolo Spoleto 27th Annual Juried Art Exhibition will showcase works of South Carolina artists. This year’s jurors are Alex Powers (painting/ 2D) and Rick Rhodes (photography). Charleston Visitor Center, 375 Meeting St. Admission: free. May 27-June 10; Daily, 8:30am-5pm. Map location.

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition will showcase the works of award-winning South Carolina artists at Marion Square, with free demonstrations each day. King and Calhoun Streets. Admission: free. May 27-June 11; 10am-5pm. Map location.

Jack Alterman Invitational Exhibition: Allende! will debut his documentary film featuring two Charleston artists and a longtime expatriate educator who have made San Miguel their home. Jack Alterman Gallery, 36 George St. Admission:  Free.  May 25-June 12; Mon.-Sat., 10am-6pm; Sun., noon-5pm. Map location.

Looking for tips on sand sculping click here.