PORT ANGELES — From “Avatar” to “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” this year’s Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic will feature the “Legends of Science Fiction.”
The sci-fi theme, submitted by Sequim’s Kelly McKillip in a contest, is the canvass for eight elite sand sculptors who will begin work Thursday and showcase their works beginning Friday at the Port Angeles City Pier.
Sand for the event will be brought in today.
The Port Angeles contest — part of the Arts in Action Festival — is considered to be one of the best in North America, organizer Doc Reiss said.
The eighth-year event has become a select qualifier for the following year’s world championships in Federal Way.
“Our event in Port Angeles is the smallest contest in North America and the most exclusive,” Reiss explained.
“You will not find better sand sculptures anywhere in the world as you will in Port Angeles.”
Admission to the sand sculpture gallery will be $1 for adults and free for children 12 and younger.
This year’s contest features world solo champion Carl Jera and past world solo champion Dan Belcher, the only three-peat world solo champion.
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.
Sculptors typically don’t like theme contests, Reiss said, but the sci-fi theme was well-received by the elite sculptors.
“It’s a great theme,” he said.
The sculptors will turn the sand, which is glacial till, into scenes from pop culture mainstays like the “Jetsons,” “Futurama,” or “Star Wars,” Reiss said.
The 2010 Windermere Sand Sculpture Classic, also known as the North American Masters Invitational, features Fred Dobbs, who once sculpted 1,500 pounds of chocolate.
“Most of these guys can carve in more than one medium,” Reiss said.
Belcher will not compete in the general competition but is eligible for the People’s Choice and Sculptor’s Choice awards.
“We wanted to invite the best,” Reiss said.
“That has always been one of our goals.”
New to this year’s event is Firat Uysal from Turkey.
Arts in Action organizers stepped up their advertising campaign for this year’s event, with ads in Kitsap County newspapers and on KPLU radio.
With the additional exposure, organizers hope the festival draws 20,000 to 30,000.
Arts in Action features food, live music, a car show and about 50 arts and crafts vendors. The event is organized by Nor’wester Rotary.
Reiss said the sand sculptures can stand up to light rain — drizzle actually strengthens them — but not heavy downpours.
The National Weather Service calls for sunny skies and highs in the 70s this weekend.
Cash prices are awarded for first place ($1,750), second place ($1,250), third place ($950), People’s Choice ($750), Show up and Finish ($650) and Sculptor’s Choice ($500).
The sand sculptures are judged by accomplished sand sculptors, artists and local dignitaries like Port Angeles City Manager Kent Myers and Clallam County Commissioner Steve Tharinger.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.