Sculptural extravaganza covers Pohara beach
sandsculpture0109.jpg
Kirsty Richmond took away the presentation for originality at the recent Sand Sculpture Extravaganza on Pohara beach. For her colony of towers, built with the help of her daughter Rosie and Gina Udell, she received-coincidentally-a tower-shaped bottle containing coloured layers of Golden Bay sand collected from beaches between Anatori and Totaranui.
Pohara camp holidaymakers were well represented in the entries and, alongside many local families, created an array of sea creatures, characters, abstract and humorous designs.
"It's a wonderful way to get the kids away from the TV for a day," commended one onlooker, though one youngster couldn't bear the separation and reclined in his sandy chair watching his hand-made television, complete with aerial.
Grant Knowles, who organised the GB Arts Council event, said that this year there were no placegetters to avoid making comparisons between the hugely varied sculptures. "Everyone was a winner by participation." Several entrants said they preferred a competition format, but there was a draw for various spot prizes provided by local businesses.
Helper Clair Fones said she loved to see families getting artistic. "It's a public event that brings out the wonderful creativity within all of us."
Maria Polglase
