Art at the Water’s Edge
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Part of the fun of going to the beach with family or friends is building sandcastles – from simple, sand pail-size mounds carved with a child’s shovel to elaborate fortresses made with architectural precision.
A creative art form made out of nothing more than sand and water, these whimsical constructions have a universal appeal and can be seen on beaches from the sunny coast of Spain to the breezy Bahamas.
Closer to home, on Labor Day Weekend each year the City of San Diego transforms itself into SANDiego when it hosts the US Sand Sculpting Challenge.
Sand sculptors from around the world come out in force to amaze you with their artistic visions.
Anything’s possible…from gothic castles to monster trucks, pirates and mermaids.
Even Dr. Seuss, Letterman and Leno might take shape on the sand.
Seeing the sculpting teams in action makes you realize that building sandcastles and other constructions isn’t always child’s play.
At times the process can get downright squirrelly.
Unlike marble, metal or wood, sculptures made from sand are ephemeral, lasting only as long as the incoming tides allow. Yet, we commit to making them anyway.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel remember the Ray Bradbury story about an art lover walking on an empty beach, who comes upon a man drawing incredible images on the shoreline with a stick. Following behind, he is struck by their beauty…and that the tide is erasing them.
The artist finally strides away, leaving the man alone …with just the memories of the images he’s seen – memories that are priceless.
So, with the long holiday weekend stretching out, don’t miss this chance to see the sandcastles in SANDiego…before the tides take them away.
Who knows what memories of your own you’ll make?
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Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.
Love these sandcastle shots. Great job!