Master Sand Sculptors not only create art from sand but, give back to the community.

June 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Fort Myers Beach – Jun 20, 2012 - For the second year local charities have benefited from Sand Bash, a Master Sand Sculpting Event. In the past two years Master Sand Sculpting events held on Fort Myers Beach; “Sand Bash” and the “World Championships” have contributed over $30,000 to local charities.

The partnership of The Sand Lovers, Fort Myers Beach Holiday Inn, Pinchers Crab Shack, and The World Championship of Sand Sculpting, makes a winning combination that continues to make these donations possible. “We simply could not host Sand Bash or the World Championships without great partnerships with these organizations; they are sincerely the backbone of putting on a good event”, said Marianne Knight, Professional sand sculptor and owner of The Sand Lovers.

The organizers would like to recognize John Gowdy, Master Sand Sculptor and artist who performed his “Flying Colors” shows during Sand Bash and the World Championships. John donates a major portion of his painting sales to the Kiwanis club.  John’s shows have raised over $10,000 which went directly to the Kiwanis. A big thank you to Gavin's Ace Hardware for donating much of the materials and paint used in Johns shows.  

Overall more than sixty Master Sand Sculptors and a handful of dedicated staff took part in these contributions. Without their dedication and unbelievable talent, these events could not happen.

This year Sand Bash was produced and managed by The Sand Lovers a local master/professional sand sculpting company owned by Bill and Marianne Knight along with The Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach, General Manager Michael Patterson. In the past few years Bill and Marianne have directly and indirectly donated over $130,000 to non-profit organizations through their management of Sand Sculpting events.

“I’d like to personally thank the Town of Fort Myers Beach, the Mayor, Council and Staff. They have always been very supportive of our events and none of this would be possible without their continued support” said Bill Knight.  

2012 Sand Bash Sponsors: Holiday Inn Fort Myers Beach, The Sand Lovers, Pinchers Crab Shack, Seminole Casino Immokalee, Town of Fort Myers Beach, Naples Daily News, Calossa Tent, Utilacart, Fish Tale Marina, Budweiser, Friends of Lovers Key, F&S Sunglasses, Gavin's Ace Hardware, Costco, Blue Coast Company, Crazy Woman Kayaks and The beaches of Sanibel and Fort Myers.

The 2013 Sand Bash is scheduled for April 5th through the 14th on Fort Myers Beach behind the Holiday Inn.