PORT ANGELES — The sand sculptures on Hollywood Beach this weekend are something out of another dimension.
The elaborate designs of seven master-level sand artists at this year’s Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic will all follow the theme “Legends of Science Fiction.
Work on the carving began Thursday and will continue until 3 p.m. Saturday when a group of local dignitaries will judge the contest.
The winners will be announced at about 5 p.m. Saturday, said organizer Doc Reiss.
It’s all part of the annual Arts in Action weekend, which will also feature food, live music, a car show and about 50 arts and crafts vendors at City Pier in Port Angeles today through Sunday.
The event is organized by the Nor’wester Rotary Club of Port Angeles.
Music, entertainment and vendors will run from noon to 7 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Sculptors competing
Seven artists are competing in the adjudicated competition and an eighth — Dan Belcher — is serving as this year’s artist in residence.
Belcher won both the 2009 and 2008 competition and as such is taking two years off from the competition portion to do a display.
“Even though he won’t be in the contest that the judges will pick, he will still be eligible for the sculptors’ choice and people’s choice,” Reiss said.
Competing for the adjudicated contest are Carl Jara, Damon Langlois, Damon Farmer, H. Firat Uysal, Fred Dobbs, Sue McGrew and Jeff Strong.
Sand sculptor Charlie Beaulieu of Kingston is creating a space-themed sculpture in front of the Windermere Real Estate office on East Front Street in Port Angeles as a demonstration sculpture for the competition.
“Every year Terry Neske with Windermere steps up and does more and more for the competition,” Reiss said.
Beaulieu is also creating another sand sculpture in front of The Longhouse Deli in Blyn off U.S. Highway 101, as the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe is another supporter of the event.
Cash prices are awarded for first place ($1,750), second place ($1,250), third place ($950), People’s Choice ($750), Showup and Finish ($650) and Sculptor’s Choice ($500).
The sand sculptures are judged by accomplished sand sculptors, artists and officials like Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers and Steve Tharinger, a Clallam County commissioner.
The sand isn’t the only attraction this weekend.
Sidewalk sales
Eighteen stores in downtown Port Angeles are holding sidewalk sales.
The stores are Sterling Impressions, Unique Treasures Mall, Teenie Queenie, Cottage Queen, Bay Variety, Waterfront Art Gallery, Aglazing Art Studio, Athletes Choice, The Toggery, Country Aire, Olympic Stationers, Odyssey Bookshop, Family Shoe Store, Tiger Lily Clothing, Rick’s Place, Brown’s Outdoor, Steppin’ Out Salon and Port Book & News, according to the Port Angeles Downtown Association.
Although Victoria 3-D chalk artist Ian Morris was scheduled to create a chalk drawing at the Conrad Dyar Memorial Fountain at First and Laurel streets, a family issue will prevent him from making an appearance this year, said Reiss.
The Port Angeles Downtown Association will lead a guided tour of Art on the Town and the new pieces recently installed.
The free tour will begin at noon Saturday and leave from the kiosk at Laurel and Railroad streets.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
