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Sand Artists Sculpt In International Competition In Key West

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KEY WEST (CBSMiami/FKNB) -- Playing in the sand isn't just for kids — at least not in Key West this weekend, where six leading sand sculptors from several countries competed in the International Sand Art Competition.

Artists in the challenge, held on the Casa Marina Resort's Atlantic Ocean beach, each got about 15,000 pounds of sand and had 30 hours to craft their sculptures out of just sand and water. They were allowed to use hand tools such as trowels and brushes, but no electric tools, molds or glue.

Sand Sculpture Key West
Abe Waterman puts finishing touches on his sand art tribute to Jimi Hendrix at the International Sand Art Competition Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Key West, Fla. The Canadian sand sculptor was one of a half-dozen artists who competed, with each getting 15,000 pounds of sand to create sculptures using hand tools and water. (Source: Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

"Something I really like about it is you can work with it a lot with your hands," said competitor Abe Waterman of Prince Edward Island, Canada. "You don't need power tools; you don't need a special bag of tools to work with it, so it's really hands-on."

As well as Waterman, the international field included defending champion Benjamin Probanza of Mexico, Susanne Ruseler of the Netherlands, Missouri sculptor Dan Belcher, Key West's Chris Guinto, and Rusty Croft who hosts the television reality show "Sand Masters."

"They start with a big pile of fluffy sand that they have to compact and compress and carve," said event organizer and founder Marianne van den Broek of Key West's Sand-Isle Professional Sand Sculpting. "There's no set theme — they can express their own creativity as best as they can."

Sand Sculpture Key West
Rusty Croft puts finishing touches on his sand art tribute to the movie "Star Wars" at the International Sand Art Competition Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Key West, Fla. Croft, a California-based sand sculptor, was one of a half-dozen artists who competed, with each getting 15,000 pounds of sand to create sculptures using hand tools and water. (Source: Rob O'Neal/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Sculptures stood up to seven feet tall and ranged from Croft's "The Legacy Continues," a Star Wars salute featuring the villain from the new movie and framed by Darth Vader's signature helmet, to Waterman's intricate guitar-and-tree composition that paid tribute to musician Jimi Hendrix.

Waterman said one of the competition's attractions for him was Key West's typically balmy climate.

"In Canada we don't get to sand sculpt into November, so it's really nice to be down here enjoying the hot weather," he said just after completing his piece.

The sculptures will remain on display until sunset Sunday.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.)

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