TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — Get your kids lots of pails and shovels for the beach, because you never know when they’ll turn into an international master of sand sculpture!
Yes, there are such people. One of them is JOOheng Tan, who has worked in sand for the past 21 years.
Why sand?
"Why? Because I love it,” Tan told us.
Tan's past creations include “Teardrop” and “Fix Me.”
The former was tall drops of water falling into water. The latter was an intricate robot laying injured.
Globe-trotting artists
Tan traveled from Singapore to Treasure Island to take part in the area's Sanding Ovations 10th Annual Masters Cup and Festival. He joins nine other master artists from around the world Tuesday working on a group sculpture.
They are, one and all, globe trotters for their art.
“I been to more than 20 countries, more than 70 cities,” Tan said. He added that the United States is one of his favorite stops.
“It’s friendly people here," he explained. "It’s friendly and the weather is so nice in Florida."
“It’s a small family in a large world,” said festival organizer Meredith Corson.
Corson’s 35 years in sand sculpting, along with that of her husband, Dan Doubleday, has helped attract artists like Tan to the area for the past decade.
Competition begins Wednesday
Wednesday morning Tan and his fellow competitors start their pieces for the Saturday judging.
Their allotted piles — tons of sand — are set, and each sculptor has access to wooden forms.
“All it is is to make a place to hold the sand while you’re wetting it and compacting it,” said Corson.
Tan told us he's waiting for his inspiration.
“You’ll see my work this weekend. I got no idea yet,” he said, laughing.
For now Tan said he's enjoying his international family.
They are even creating photo op sculptures for people to take pictures with. One is of pirates celebrating their 10 years at Treasure Island, while the other depicts Santa and his elves.
People will be watching all the week as the sculptures take shape. The festival will then kick into high gear starting Friday, with bands, food and drink.
For more information, visit sandingovationsmasterscup.com.