Sand Sculpting Winners Declared During Tenth Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic

International sand sculpting champions were declared during the tenth annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, which is drawing thousands to Siesta Public Beach. (See the completed sculptures Monday. Details at: www.siestakeycrystalclassic.com or www.facebook.com/SiestaKeyCrystalClassic)
 
Awards were presented, Nov. 17, to winning teams of two and solo master sand sculptors.
The Crystal Classic drew seven teams of two and nine solo artists from nations around the world, including Singapore, Canada, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Columbia, Ireland and U.S. states including California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas.

Team sculptors Walter McDonald, U.S.A. and Abe Waterman, Canada, won first prize ($4,000) for “Mine is Bigger Than Yours.”

First place in the solo artist category was John Gowdy, Italy, for “Sand Man Rises,” $2000. 

Other prizes and winners were:

Second place Artist Team ($3,000): “No Place Like Home,” by Craig Mutch, Canada, and Emerson Shreiner, U.S.A.
Third place Artist Team ($2,000): “Mental Block,” by Peter Vogelaar, Canada and Manuel Campos, Columbia
Sculptors’ choice Artist Team ($1,000): “Mental Block,” Peter Vogelaar and Manuel Campos
Second place Solo Artist ($1,500): “Magic,” by Karen Fralich, Canada
Third place Solo Artist ($1,000): “Home is Not a Place,” by Maxim Gazendam, Netherlands
Sculptors’ choice Solo Artist ($500): “Home is Not a Place,” Maxim Gazendam 

People’s Choice: Team ($1,000) Solo ($500): The public can see the sculptures and vote through 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 19^th at www.facebook.com/SiestaKeyCrystalClassic 

“Despite the weather challenges this week, which created some difficulty, the quality of this year’s sculptures has been outstanding. We appreciate the public’s participation and support as the turnout was much better than expected. We know we had many locals and tourists who came out and we’re looking forward to 2020 which will be held November 13 – November 16, 2020,” says Event Chair Maria Bankemper.