Pictured: First place 'Skull Duggery' with sculptors Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher

The top sand sculpting champions were declared during the 11th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, held November 12-15, which drew thousands to Siesta Public Beach. Awards were presented November 14, to the winning doubles teams and solo master sand sculptors. Eight doubles teams and eight solo artists competed. 

First Place Doubles: ($6000) “Skull Duggery” by team sculptors Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher;  Second Place Doubles: ($3,000): "Twas the Tide Before…" by Matt Long and Brian Wigelsworth; Third Place Doubles: ($2,000): "Hand Me Down Genes" by Matt Deibert and Ian Deibert; First Place Solo: ($3000) "A Rose Without Thorns" by Thomas Koet; Second Place Solo: ($1,500): "Angel of Death" by Chris Guinto; Third Place Solo: ($1000): "Let the Light In" by Rick Mungeam; Sculptors’ Choice Artist Team: “Skull Duggery” by Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher; Sculptors’ Choice Solo Artist: "A Rose Without Thorns" by Thomas Koet; People’s Choice: Solo: ($1000) Thomas Koet, “A Rose Without Thorns” and, Doubles: ($2000) Brian Wigelsworth and Matt Long, “Twas the Tide Before...”

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Siesta Key Crystal Classic will benefit scholarships at Ringling College of Art and Design and will assist talented, creative students so that they may be able to pursue their dreams of higher education in art and design. The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is presented by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce. 

Pictured: First place 'Skull Duggery' with sculptors Karen Fralich and Dan Belcher