2017 Theme – Canada 150
29 sculptors from around the world
July 14- August 20
sponsored by local business – powered by volunteers
On Saturday we visited the 35th annual Canadian Open Sandsculpting Competition and Exhibition in Parksville on Vancouver Island.
1st Place Doubles – David Ducharme (Winlaw, BC) & Dmitry Klimenko (Russia) for “Canadian Mosaic”, photo by PJ
My Favourite – The Canadian Mosaic
Neil Young (right), Buffy St Marie (center) David Suzuki and Terry Fox on the other sides.
photo by Jo-Ann Carson
photo by Jo-Ann Carson
photo by Jo-Ann Carson
5 Fun Facts
- the artists don’t use beach sand because it’s got too many pebbles and shells in it.
- solo competitors get 10 yards of sand on a 12 by 15 foot plot, doubles get 15 yards for a 20 by 20 foot plot
- they compress the sand in wooden forms and when the sculpture is complete they spray it with a 20 to 80 mixture of wood glue and water
- they have 30 hours to complete their sculptures
- local sponsors pay for the competitors travel, meals and accommodation. They also receive $1,000. In addition, winners receive cash prizes (top 3 doubles and top 5 soloists all get awards. Top double gets $5,000. and top solo gets $2,500).
Hey Jacques – photo by PJ
The Cup – photo by PJ
The Last Spike – by Peter Vogelaar; Winlaw, B.C. #3 Solo, photo by PJ
Oh Canada, we stand on guard for Tree by Jacinthe Trudel and Jonathan Bouchard, Quebec, #2 doubles, Photo by PJ
Canadance du Soleil by Guy Beauregard, Asbestos, QC, #4 solo, photo by PJ
by , #2 in Solo Competition, Wilfred Stijger, Netherlands, Photo by PJ
I hope this gives you a taste of how amazing the sculptures are. There were many more than are shown here.
Cost – by donation (suggested $3./person)
Value – beyond words
Now I’m hooked. I can’t wait until the next one. I apologize for not having more info on each picture. What can I say? It was a hot and smoky (because of the forest fires) day.
For more information go to the event website.
An Awesome Video from the Parksville Qualicum Beach News
[wpvideo QoQ8Uje9]