Sand sculpting to go sci-fi for theme at Port Angeles Arts in Action festival

PORT ANGELES — Sculptors at the July Arts in Action festival will be forming sand into the shape of “Legends of Science Fiction” this year.

The theme was submitted by Kelly McKillip of Sequim.

McKillip will be awarded $100 worth of Downtown Dollars for submitting the winning theme.

The theme contest is run annually by the Rotary club and the Peninsula Daily News.

“The response this year was incredible,” said Doc Reiss, president of Nor’wester Rotary and one of the organizers of the annual sand sculpture contest held in conjunction with the club’s Arts in Action Street Fair.

“Normally, we get about 225 entries for the area communities.

“This year, we received 379 from people in Port Townsend and all the way out to LaPush.”

Only residents of Clallam and Jefferson counties could suggest themes.

“It’s a great idea,” Reiss said of the theme.

“It covers everything from Isaac Asimov to ‘The Jetsons’ to ‘Avatar.'”

Reiss said the eight sculptors from the United States and Canada who will take this theme to the gallery on Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles all like the idea, but none had mentioned to him how they will interpret it.

The North American Masters Invitational is presented by Windermere Real Estate and sponsored by local businesses.

It will be held during the Arts in Action festival, which will be on Friday to Sunday, July 23 to 25, at City Pier and Hollywood Beach.

The sand sculpting will be in the area just east of the pier.

Spectators will be able to watch as piles of sand come to life in intricate forms.

The sculptures will be judged, and winners will receive cash awards.

For information about the contest, phone Reiss at 360-461-0613.

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