Heroes In The Sand
by Staff Writer
| It’s that time again! You know, when those gifted artists who started with snow as kids and moved on the plaster of paris, finally tried to move around a little sand...
They are back in town and the best of ‘em will get some serious cash if they are crowned “Best of 2008”.
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Photo taken by Al Terminello
Tons of specialized sand was trucker to Revere Beach earlier last week for the 5th annual New England Sand Sculpting Festival. The competition starts Wednesday July 16th thru Saturday July 19th. Voting is on Saturday. |
This year’s theme is “Heroes”, and there are a total of eleven artists competing for five places. First Place wins $3,500...all the way down to $200 for Fifth Place, with a few extras thrown in. The show fee of $800.00 must mean everyone gets that.
Photo taken by Al Terminello
MIKE fm 93.7 was at Revere Beach on Saturday for some of the early spectators. |
Coordinator of this year’s Sand Sculpturing, Sean Fitzpatrick of “Fitzy Snowman” is a local from Saugus, Massachusetts. The sand was delivered last week from Hudson, New Hampshire, and the local Department of Public Works and state park Department of Conservation and Recreation moved the tonnage with two front-end loaders over a two-day period. Quite an achievement in and of itself!
Produced in New Hampshire as a bi-product of regular sand, River Sand costs approximately 4-5 dollars per ton. After delivery, adding in the cost of gas…figure more like 10 dollars per ton! That’s 16.4 tons per artist, and there are eleven! You do the math!!!
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Saturday and Sunday of this week saw huge crowds anxious to see artists working, but it was prep work only. Where were these artists everyone hoped to see? Coming in overhead was eight of ‘em flying into Logan Airport! Some of the artists are coming from Europe and Canada, most from Florida, and some from the Lone Star State. Locals include; Artist Matthew “Matt” Martelli from Revere, Massachusetts, Deb Cutulle from Saugus MA, Matt Shamalay from Revere MA and of course Coordinator Sean Fitzpatrick of Saugus, Massachusetts, and our artist from Liverton Rhode Island, about 45 minutes down the road …Artillio “Steve” Taparzio. The name alone suggests artistic fame, but rumor has it he is otherwise known as “Sand Sculptor of the Ocean State”. Don’t count him out!!!
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Photo taken by Al Terminello
Revere Beach Partnership Executive Director Lillian Guido(5th from right) with volunteers selling sandcastle tee’s and towels as well as pail and shovels for this weeks event on Revere Beach. For more information call 1-866-920-SAND or www.reverebeachpartnership.com. |
Photo taken by Al Terminello
Sean Fitzpatrick from Saugus gets starts on the demonstration piece on Revere Beach, behind the William G. Reinstein Bandstand. Fitzpatrick is the founder of Fitzy Snowman Sculpting and is the organizer of this world class event on DCR Revere Beach, the 1st public beach in America. For more information call 1-866-920-sand or www.reverebeachpartnership.com. |
The rules of the competition are clear for the artists. There are a total of eight categories, and the artists must adhere to them in order to win. Last year's winner Carl Jara from Cleveland, Ohio (according to the brochure handed out by the volunteers) lists so many victories and accomplishments, that they had to pay the typesetter overtime!
As far as the rules of the crowd go, Trooper Erickson of the Massachusetts State Police Department said it best “No nonsense, No drinking, No bothering the artists…and if you take a car, make sure it has a current inspection sticker or it may be a very expensive free event”.
The contest work day starts on Wednesday morning and ends Saturday. The winner will be crowned Best of 2008 Saturday July 19, and will take away a nice piece of change for an unbelievable four-day effort.
Photo taken by Al Terminello
Local residents enjoy a great day on the beach and get a chance to check out the week’s events.
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Take It with a Grain of Sand
by Staff Writer
 Revere, MA - June 26, 2008 - Sand sculpting has always been a thought provoking form of art attracting thousands of spectators. Magdalena Taber takes it to the next level with her startling digital interpretation. Castles in the sand, an art book compiling the series of work is being launched in conjunction with the New England Sand Sculpting Festival which will take place July 13-20. Portion of the proceeds will benefit the Revere Beach Partnership, a non-profit organization committed to the revitalization of our National Historic Landmark, Revere Beach.
The impermanence of the medium provides a compelling factor drawing entire families to the sand sculpting festival with their cameras. But images like those created by Magdalena Taber, a professional photographer and artist cannot be found anywhere else. Residing within a short walking distance from the beach, she meticulously studied the masterpieces created there in 2006 and 2007. The gradual wear of the sculptures captured with her camera is an integral part of the collection that ensued. Juxtaposition of the figures in unexpected configurations stretches the imagination of the viewer. The first edition of Castles in the sand, now available online at www.blurb.com is intended to evoke reflection on a deeper meaning of life, thus enriching our daily experience way beyond the time when the sand sculptures that inspired the series turned to dust. Part of the funds generated from sales of the book, donated by the artist to the Revere Beach Partnership will help bringing the first public beach in the country back to its original grandeur.
About the Artist
Magdalena Taber's portfolio of digital art has been published by Picture Booklets Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands in the 2006/4 issue of Eyemazing, New Moving Gallery for International Contemporary Photography. Her work was featured by the Boston Globe and a number of other local newspapers and cable TV stations. Taber exhibited widely across New England and in Europe. She received various awards, including an honorary mention at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Her artwork is in numerous private collections. Taber also provides a range of creative services. For more information please refer to her website: www.transartmt.biz
Castles in the sand
Magdalena Taber
Soft cover: $24.99
Hard cover: $44.99
To preview and order: www.blurb.com - search the Bookstore for Castles in the sand
To view the entire collection: http://www.transartmt.biz/castles_in_the_sand.htm
To be informed about future book signing parties please request to be placed on the artist's electronic newsletter list by sending an email to transartmt@gis.net.
Contact: Magdalena Taber
Telephone: 781 289 8373
email: transartmt@gis.net
website: www.transartmt.biz
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High quality digital files for printing are available upon request.
Nobody knows…Or if they do know…they’re not talking!
by Staff Writer
Note: Photos taken by Al Terminello 
 Activity all over the place…people here, there, and everywhere…but the silence is deafening at Revere Beach, while the artists plot their ideas and strategize. They keep referring to small index-like cards of which even a peek over the shoulder or a card left behind wouldn’t reveal an answer. They seem to be written in code!
It’s getting hotter and hotter, and more humid, but even the threats of thunderstorms aren’t stopping anyone! Sunscreen seems to be the common thread of conversation amongst them these days…the only safe topic for them to discuss right now. The large mounds of sand from each artist’s station are sifted and sorted into various sized boxes and crates. What for, and why the different sizes? Only the artists themselves know…or do they?
 The Boston Globe’s Jimmy Wilson has been here and has taken at least 3,000 photos so far! Just like our sand competitors, he’s got his own plan in mind. We’re sure to expect his final result to be spectacular, and tell quite a story if you can’t get down and see things for yourself!
Aside from the main event, visitors can expect to see one of the area’s best firework displays at 9 pm on Saturday. From the William G. Reinstein Bandstand and Francis Doris Pavilions we can “Oooo and Aahh” over the spectacular array of color loud “booms” lighting up the sky! Of course we all love to shop and eat, so there will be plenty of opportunity to do that as well! Enjoy all the food you love from pizza and sausages to slush and banana splits! Take home the latest styles in beach attire and accessories from one of the many vendors lining the boulevard! You’ll find everything under the sun within several blocks of what is known as “America’s First Public Beach – Revere Beach”!
It’s hard enough to win…but twice!!!???
by Staff Writer
Congratulations to Carl Jara of Cleveland, Ohio! First Place winner again, back to back! With this year’s sculptures still in place, our artists are already mulling ideas to meet the even greater challenge that next year will bring.
Thanks to all our volunteers, Lillian Guido and the Revere Beach Partnership, husband Jim Guido and the Revere Police Department, Revere’s Auxiliary Police, Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Public Works, the Massachusetts State Police, whatever other Departments I’m missing, our sculptors, artists and competitors, and most importantly, all of you…the Fifth Annual New England Sand Sculpturing Festival at Revere Beach was a huge success! Though turnout seemed iffy for some time, the thunderstorms that lurked in the distance steered clear, and didn’t seem to keep too many people away! One great addition to this year’s event was a carriage and wheelchair accessible mat that allowed for safety, and a chance for all to get a closer look. |
Photo taken by Al Terminello
Carl Jara from Cleveland Ohio was pronounced the grand prize winner of the 2008 New England Sand Sculpting Festival. Jara is shown with president of the Revere Beach Partnership Andrea McGuire(left) and executive director Lillian Guido. Jara also was the 2007 winner , congratulations on back to back wins….see you next year. |
Photo taken by Al Terminello
Members of the Revere Beach Partnership. |
Record-sized crowds, overwhelming levels of talent, famous vendors; Nantucket Nectars, Fuse, and 93.7 FM radio, and many more came to Revere Beach. With the music accompanied fireworks display that could knock your sandals off, we have become quite a success and have earned nationwide recognition! More and more families and friends from all over join us in the festivities each year, and the event continues to grow! Let’s reserve your spot in the sand for next year!
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More Sandcastle Photos
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Photo taken by Al Terminello )
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The family of Revere artist NormanGautreau, presents Sean Fitzpatrick of Saugus a special gift from the family for his artistic ability and being a friend to Gautreau the years of his life. |
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Thousands of people came to Revere Beach to see the works of art sculpurted in the sand and to enjoy a great fire works display on Saturday night. Despite the huge crowd no arrests were made and the several minor medical aide calls were easily handled thanks to the combined efforts of the Mass State Police, Revere Police, Revere Auxiliary Police, Revere Fire Dept., and the DCR Park Rangers and staff. A special thanks to Cataldo Ambulance Service for their continued support to the City of Revere and public safety. |
Medical calls were handled by the Revere Fire Department on their fully equipped mountain bikes.
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Jean Dacey and Carol Freeman |
The Sullivans enjoyed a day at Revere Beach.
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Anthony Schena from the Banana Boat on Ocean Avenue sells ice cold slush to a lot of beach goers on Saturday afternoon. |
Mayor Thomas Ambrosino being interviewed by NSEN on Revere Beach.
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Matt Martelli with his creation”OFF the Top of My Head.” |
Capt Jim Guido, Executive Director of the Revere Beach Partnership Lillian Guido, Steve and Elisa Fustulo, The Ocean Club, developers and Mayor Ambrosino.
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Carl Jara’s “Euphoria” placed 1st |
“OFF the Top of my Head” by Revere artist Matthew Martelli.
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Non Competing sculptors |
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Meet the pros, these sculptors came from all over the world to compete this past week-end at the New England Sand Sculpturing Festival. |
2nd, 3rd 4th and 5th place winners
2nd place |
3rd place |
4th place |
5th place |
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