Easter Sand Sculpture 2009

[4 Dog Mother]

This is 10th year for the local artist to make his sand sculpture at the local vet. As usual it is awesome. Here are some pictures:

[4 Dog Mother]

[4 Dog Mother]

And one the artist did of himself

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Wow, those are amazing. Beautiful sculptures. Thanks so much for sharing!

[cassiesmom]

wow! Awesome!

[chocolatepuppy]

Every year you post pictures of these sculptures and yet every year they amaze me!

[Daisy and Delilah]

Those are incredible. How long does it take to complete them? Thanks for sharing. I am always in awe over how creative and talented people are.

[pomtzu]

Awesome indeed! Sand and ice sculptures have always fascinated me - but so much time and effort - only to be taken back by Mother Nature. We are left with only a picture as proof that they did exist.

[4 Dog Mother]

It takes him and volunteers about a week. Several years weather has interfered and they have had to redo parts of it ornot completely finished it. Here jis an article in our paper with pictures included.

http://www.thecourier.com/multimedia...web/index.html

[4 Dog Mother]

Another article fom the Toledo Blade
Holy Week sand sculptures take gri
7 truckloads used for annual Findlay project


Roger Powell, a 55-year-old landscape architect, is using 260 tons of sand and the aid of 50 volunteers to sculpt this year's creation. His Holy Week scenes always include the crucifixion of Jesus.
( THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER )



By DAVID YONKE
BLADE RELIGION EDITOR

FINDLAY - It's amazing what a pile of sand can do.

For Roger Powell, his 10th annual Holy Week sand sculptures in Riverside Park not only tell the Easter story of Jesus' resurrection but also build a sense of community.

"I think of all the people that come in each day and they see this pile of sand and I'm on the inside of the fence working and I look out and these people are shaking hands, and this person is bringing a bowl of noodles, and this person's bringing in some fruit.

"The sculpture brings them, but believe me, it's the camaraderie that brings them back," Mr. Powell said.

The display has grown each year in size and popularity.

The sculptures started when Mr. Powell, 55, a landscape architect by trade, woke up in the middle of the night 10 years ago and told his wife, Sharon, that he needed to sculpt a Bible scene in the sand.


Jill Hubbuch of Findlay waits for her children, Spencer, on the prayer bench, and Reed, standing, at the On Common Ground sand sculpture in Findlay's Riverside Park yesterday.




He started with 35 tons dumped into the sand volleyball pit at Riverside Park on McManness Avenue, working single-handed day and night during Holy Week to pack, shape, and sculpt a giant cross and the body of Jesus.


Ten years later, seven dump trucks delivered 260 tons of sand to the site and Mr. Powell has gotten help by a volunteer crew of more than 50 people.

He still does most of the sculpting, except for some relatively simple rocks, and his helpers pack and shape the sand for sculpting and to withstand the weather.

Each year the Bible scenes, spanning more than 75 feet in total width, are different but always contain a large cross and written Bible verses.

This year the Jesus and cross sculpture, with Mary praying at the Lord's feet, measures 18 feet in length and 14 feet in width and reaches a height of 12 feet.

On another side, a 10-foot waterfall cascades between sculptures of a lamb and lions and an angel.

The sculptures draw thousands of visitors from throughout the area, including numerous buses of senior citizens.

Karl and Sylvia Anderson heard about it on the radio and drove 110 miles from their home in Xenia, Ohio.

"He has to work on Easter so I figured this is like going to church," Mrs. Anderson said.

Ten-year-old twins from Alvada marveled at the effort that went into making the sculptures.

"Wow, this looks like it would take a month, not a week," said Katie Elchert.

"Awesome," said her sister, Gidge.

Their grandmother, Jan Reinhart, described the sculptures as "just remarkable.

"Beyond your imagination. You just have to see it," she said.

Mr. Powell covers all the expenses for the project and closes his landscaping business for 10 days.

Donations help defray some of the costs and numerous area businesses pitch in by donating meals and coffee for the workers, propane gas to heat nearby tents, and other useful items.

Live music is performed at the site daily at 6:30 p.m. and today, Good Friday, is "kids' day."

Mr. Powell is having more sand dumped nearby and from 1 to 4 p.m. will teach the children how to create their own sand artistry.

On Easter morning, a nondenominational sunrise service is set for 6:30 a.m.

With all that work, the sculptures last about three weeks before the wind and rain wear them down and the sand is recycled for use in the volleyball courts.

Mr. Powell is philosophical about his artwork's short lifespan.

It's like the Bible, he said, which states in Genesis 3:19: "For you were made from dust, and to dust you shall return."

More information is available on Mr. Powell's Web site, walkingoncommonground.com.

[Laura's Babies]

Man, it is to bad they can't be preserved for future generations somehow.... They are AWESOME!

[RICHARD]

What great work!

I should keep my mouth shut but,

Is that a public park? I am surprised that some effing yoyo hasn't complained about the theme!

[Kirsten]

It's awesome!!! What a great job!

Thanks for sharing!

Kirsten

[4 Dog Mother]

Richard, it is a city public park and I never thought about some one complaining but I guess someone could. I hope it never happens! Pictures don't really do the sculptures justice. They are just so awesome!

[lizbud]

Thank you for posting this annual event. The pictures are amazing.