Originally Posted by
shais_mom
Where was that at?
They should still be there >>>
Findlay artist, helpers shape sand into elaborate sculpture
By MIKE SOBCZYK Staff Writer http://www.theCourier.com
Some people save year-round so they can attend that special event at a sporting venue or some other destination.
But Cheryl Karst and Jackie Gilliam, friends and business partners from Savannah, Ga., save year-round so they can make a two-week trip to Findlay in order to volunteer and enjoy the latest sand sculpture artwork at Riverside Park created by Findlay landscaper and artist Roger Powell.
"It's a very humbling, dramatic experience," Gilliam said this week while at the sand sculpture site.
Karst added, "The most touching scene is taking communion on Easter vigil and seeing this (the artwork) in front of our eyes."
Karst and Gilliam are two of what will be thousands of visitors to Riverside Park, on McManness Avenue, all this week -- Holy Week -- leading up to Easter Sunday.
Powell, who now has done his sand sculpture artwork at the park for six years, said this year's work is titled, "The Common Ground."
It consists of four scenes, with one scene depicting Christ carrying the Cross with a centurion behind him with a whip, and another scene depicting Christ with his mother, Mary.
A third scene depicts Christ on the Cross, and the final scene shows the Resurrection from the tomb with Christ outside of the tomb praying.
For the project, about 130 tons of lake sand was brought to the site, which Powell uses along with the sand already on the site, which normally serves as a volleyball court.
Powell and volunteers then work to meticulously create his artwork.
With trowels and small shovels in hand, and volunteers at the ready to move or pack sand down, Powell spends hours on the pieces.
"The worst enemy in sand sculpting," Powell said, "is the wind and high temperatures." That's because both will dry out the sand and render it useless for sculpting.
Powell said lake sand is good for sculpting because it contains some moisture.
"It packs very well, and the more you can pack it, the more you can sculpt it." Powell actually has been hoping for some rain this week which would help the sand keep its needed consistency. Powell said the artwork is designed to have the rain run off.
While taking a break from his work, Powell pointed out that while as the artist, he's the one who gets the credit for the artwork, his work wouldn't be possible without the help of many others.
Powell noted how North Baltimore's Pennington Gas Service donates the propane which he uses to fuel his heaters, and Coldren-Crates Funeral Home provides the tents which have been erected. Also, a number of restaurants have donated food and other items.
Findlay's Springs of Life, A Christian Resource Store, is sponsoring an event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Riverside Park site. At this event, Arcadia's Kathy's Korner Restaurant is providing a free lunch to visitors.
Clairs Trucking, Helms & Sons Excavating, and Karhoff Brothers Excavating also donate their services to haul the sand away when the exhibit is removed a few weeks after Easter.
"Findlay is a wonderful town; it's a giveback," Powell said when asked why he labors so hard year after year on the artwork.
He also spoke of how many people in the community enjoy the exhibit, with the artwork being meaningful for visitors in different ways.
Gilliam and Karst said they first learned of the sand sculpture when they met Powell three years ago at a home show in Charlotte, N.C. "Roger invited us, and we took him up on his offer," Karst said.
The pair said that first year, they stayed at a hotel in Port Clinton and drove down to Findlay to see the artwork. After Powell learned where the two were staying, he invited them to stay with him and his wife, Sharon, at their house.
"We don't have anything like this down in Savannah," Gilliam said of the annual sand sculpture.
Throughout the week, various activities are scheduled as part of the sand sculpture event, including book signings by author Catherine Ritch Guess, who has completed the third and final volume of her Sandman Easter Series. The final volume is titled, "Victory in Jesus."
Guess, who specializes in inspirational fiction, first met Powell a few years ago, with Powell and his sand sculpture artwork subsequently serving as the inspiration for her series.
Her first volume is titled, "Old Rugged Cross" and the second volume is titled, "Let Us Break Bread Together." All three volumes are set in Findlay.
On Easter Sunday, a sunrise service will be held at the Riverside Park sand sculpture at 6:30 a.m. Contact staff writer Mike Sobczyk at: (419) 427-8421 [email protected]
Riverside Park is the Hancock Park District Park along the River near Downtown Findlay.
/s/ Cinder, Smokey & Heidi
R.I.P. ~ Boots, Bowser, Sherman, & Snoopy
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