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]
Wow!!! I’m impressed by the quality of the work. Thanks for sharing, Jo-Ann 🙂
Hi Joanne,
You’re most welcome. I had to write about the sandsculptures because they’re so amazing. Such talent!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
Awesome sculptures and pictures! Thanks for sharing this with us, Jo-Ann. I felt like I was right there with you!
Hi Jacqui,
Thanks for your compliment. That has to be the ultimate compliment.
And thanks for stopping by and commenting.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
Very cool, Jo-Ann! Amazing talent, those sand sculptors.
Hi Ros,
I’m still awed by the talent.
Thank for stopping by and sharing in my experience.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
Yes. The sculptures are breathtaking! We’re heading up there on Wednesday. Hope that they still will be there. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jodie,
We had a wonderful time there and the food trucks were quite intriguing as well. Enjoy.
all the best,
Jo-Ann
I agree. The sandcastles are always amazing. I haven’t missed one since I moved here. My favorite was The Last Spike because it evoked such a sense of history, but I liked The Cup too. The beaver looking up at the bear made me chuckle. I hope you jumped in the ocean after viewing the Sandcastles – though I prefer to go swimming about 5 p.m. – especially at high tide.
Yes, they were all wonderful.
No, sadly we didn’t swim that day, but we did the next day on Gabe and the water was warm.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
all the best,
Jo-Ann