Friday, June 24, 2011

Sculpting of Sand Begins at Point

Master sculptors have begun working on 150 tons of compacted sand in Point State Park with the goal of creating a masterpiece in time for the opening of the Three River Regatta a week from Saturday. The sand was trucked in last weekend and crews spent nearly a week pouring it into forms, adding water and compacting into three tight blocks. Those three blocks well be merged into a 14-foot tall 50-foot wide block and carved into a single form. “It is going to be absolutely gorgeous,” said sand sculpturing world champion Thomas Koet, “People who like American and Pittsburgh will love what they see but it will be a total surprise.”

The sculptors are working behind tarps to keep away prying eyes. The sculpture will be unveiled July 2nd. Sandsational Sand Sculpting was hired to do the work. Owner Jill Harris says she hopes her team will be invited back next year and she is already asking for more sand if they return.