This weekend, the shores of Treasure Island in Florida transformed into a lively open-air art gallery for the 16th annual Sanding Ovations, an event that captivates visitors with its unique sand sculptures.

“When people see these creations, it leaves a lasting impression, much like a beloved song,” remarked Dan Doubleday, the visionary sculptor and organizer behind the festival. “One of these artworks will resonate with them forever.”

This year’s event features over a dozen intricate sand sculptures, a testament to creative resilience after last year’s festival was canceled due to a hurricane. In response, organizers invited artists back with a liberating theme: “Gallery of Sand.”

“Throughout the week, spectators have been amazed by the artists’ ability to bring these sculptures to life,” Doubleday shared.

Throughout the first part of the week, artists meticulously carved their masterpieces from a special sand mixture. According to Doubleday, this sand is enriched with minerals and organic elements akin to those found in coral reefs, enhancing the sculptures’ durability and detail.

“The sand is very special to us,” he said. “It gets very hard. People think, ‘What holds that thing up?’ Well, it holds itself up because it’s made of the same thing concrete is made of.”

The event attracts beach lovers and art lovers to Treasure Island each year. Doubleday said the sculptures have evolved from impressive sandcastles into ornate works of art, created by world-class sculptors.

“We brought them in from all over the world. We have five different countries represented here,” he said.

Doubleday said he’s proud of the foot traffic the event continues to bring to the island and that it grows every year.

The sculptures will remain on the beach for the remainder of the year. The festival, along with vendors and music, will return next weekend for an ‘Encore’.