Category Archives: Sand Sensations

Sand Sensations 2014 Photo Gallery

Ilya putting finishing touches on his sculpture
Ilya putting finishing touches on his sculpture
Cowgirl on the Range by Susanne Ruseler, Netherlands
Cowgirl on the Range by Susanne Ruseler, Netherlands
Wild West Saloon, Dan Belcher, St. Louis, Missouri
Wild West Saloon, Dan Belcher, St. Louis, Missouri
People's Choice winning sculpture, David Ducharme, Winlaw, BC
People’s Choice winning sculpture, David Ducharme, Winlaw, BC

 

Dan puts the finishing touches on his wild west saloon.
Dan puts the finishing touches on his wild west saloon.

 

David Ducharme
David Ducharme

 

Family Challenge - Team May
Family Challenge – Team May

 

Family Challenge
Family Challenge

 

Family Challenge
Family Challenge

 

Family Challenge
Family Challenge

Sand 2014 3 024 Sand 2014 3 013 Sand 2014 3 022

Recycling last year’s sculptures and preparing for 2014!

SAND Sensations 2014 opens July 28 and runs until August 3 at Peace Island Park in Taylor. The Fort St. John Community Arts Council invited 5 international carvers to create larger-than-life sand sculptures at the third sand event in the Peace Country.

The professional sand sculptures will be designed with the theme of “Cowboy Country”. The international professional carvers from the Netherlands, USA and Canada will reveal their “tips andtricks of the trade” this year by hosting a workshop. The newly added Family / Community
Challenge will kick off August 2. Friends, family, food, refreshments and more have been implemented to attract even more visitors to the “playground of the Peace” where the Alaska Highway meets the mighty Peace River.

Preparations begin a week in advance to build forms and tamp down the wet sand to make each sculpture site firm. Tons and tons of local sand are donated by Nels Ostero Sand & Gravel, directly located across the Peace River in Taylor. Poor Boy Trucking transports it over the bridge and onto the site as their contribution to the event. Equipment from Peace Country Rentals, water trucked in by Pratt Water and the District of Taylor make the family event possible.

Sand Sensations celebrates the environment with the use of natural materials in its original state. The sand in the Peace Country has the right amount of clay and silt, with no added materials, to make long lasting sculptures. Last year’s artwork was still standing last week!

Come enjoy camping along the Peace River near wilderness rife with moose, bears, and revel in the natural elements as sand, water and sunshine makes for the best summer memories. SAND Sensations BC 2014 is filled with art, fun, food, sand and sun with a musical mix this summer.

Family Package Jul 0214

Knocking down the 2013 sculptures to recycle the sand.
Knocking down the 2013 sculptures to recycle the sand.

Family and Amateur Sand Carving

Come play in the sand and build a castle – with the help of professional carvers from around the world!
 
WIN AWESOME PRIZES!!!!!
Family Challenge Winners – 30 Minute Helicopter Ride from Challenger Inspections, Pool Parties from Super 8, Fun in the Sun Swag
Calling all local / community families and other amateur sand sculptors to get in the action and come play at Peace Island Park!
Amateur Challenge – July 25-27

​ (limited to 4 teams so register early)​
Family / Community Challenge – August 2

​ (limited to 10 teams so register early)​
Professional Competition – July 28-August 3

​​
For complete details see the attached information packages.
For more information or to register contact jocelyn@bizzybody.ca

​ or complete the attached document and submit if for processing.​

Family Package Jul 0214

Amateur Package Jul 0214

 

Students enjoy workshop with Sand Sensations BC

A SNEAK PEEK AT SAND SENSATIONS BC
A sandy surprise greeted CM Finch students earlier this month on a school trip to Peace Island Park. They got a sneak preview at the plans for the up and coming 2014 sand sculpturing event. The sculptures from last year are still standing and the life-size bison carved in sand was visible enough to locate where the nose should be. At the end of their picnic and hike, the students were treated to an ice cold refreshment and a quick lesson in sand carving by the event planning committee.

SAND SENSATIONS BC kicks off this year on July 26 with a “Cowboy Country” theme. Five professional sand carvers will have already worked the previous week to “pound up” the sand forms compacting the sand. All five carvers this year hold World Champion titles in sand carving.  Susanne Ruseller from the Netherlands and Dan Belcher from the USA are new to SAND SENSATIONS BC. Ilya Filimontsev from Russia will be remembered from the first year of the event with larger-than life goldminers and their horse and cart. David Ducharme from Winlaw, BC, directs the preparations and has carved crowd-pleasing sculptures each year. And, our very own Peter Vogelaar, who lived in Fort St. John for many years and has since become famous for his snow, ice and sand carvings, will travel again from Winlaw to interact with the spectators and create amazing sandwork. From July 25-27, teams from Grande Prairie plan to join the local carving teams and have been practicing in their home town. The Family Challenge is Aug 2 which is also the weekend of the Gold Panning event at Peace Island Park.

SAND SENSATIONS BC is the only Northern BC sand carving event uniquely located on the Peace River and situated in an outdoor camping setting at Peace Island Park in Taylor. The playground of the Peace on the Alaska Highway offers all camping facilities, swimming, hiking and close to nature encounters. Easy day trips from Dawson Creek and Fort St. John make it attractive for people to return to see the daily progress of the professional carvers.

Tons and tons of sand comes from the banks of the Peace River and is provided by Nels Ostero Sand and Gravel. Poorboy Trucking transports it to the site and equipment from Brandt Tractor, Peace Country Rentals, and Conway Electric makes it possible to organize the event. The wide support from community-minded individuals and companies is vital to staging this SAND SENSATIONS B which is in its third year. Set the date on your calendar July 26- August 3 for SAND SENSATIONS BC. Admissions is free. Book a campsite early (camping fees apply). Put on your cowboy duds, bring a picnic and kick up your heels with the sand carvers at Peace Island Park. Register to play in the sand and create a sculpture with tips from the pros.

For further information: Contact Jocelyn 250-793-0272 or email  info@fsjarts.org