Crystal Crowns

Meet the Winners of the 2022 Siesta Key Crystal Classic

The annual sand sculpture competition transformed the beach into an outdoor art gallery last weekend.

11/15/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Sandy gallery

The Siesta Key Crystal Classic Is Back

Professional and amateur sand masters at the 2022 international sand sculpting competition are primed to make jaws drops Nov. 12-14.

11/01/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Drumroll, Please...

Here Are the Winners of the 2021 Siesta Key Crystal Classic

Yes, these sculptures are made of sand (!).

11/17/2021 By Staff

Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota This Weekend

Asolo Rep opens season with Hair, the Siesta Key Crystal Classic returns, fests celebrate art, music and stone crab.

11/11/2021 By Kay Kipling

Essential Intelligence

After a Year Off, the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Returns in November

From Nov. 12-15, professional and amateur sand artists will wow visitors with their outrageous and improbable designs.

10/05/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sand Stars

Meet the Winners of the 10th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic

This year's competition drew seven teams of two and nine solo artists from around the world.

11/18/2019 By Megan McDonald

A Really Big Sand Box

Sand Sculptor Karen Fralich Returns to This Year's Siesta Key Crystal Classic

"With a sand sculpture, the magic happens before you start carving.”

10/30/2019 By Kay Kipling

Education

Siesta Key Crystal Classic Creates Scholarship Fund

A portion of the proceeds from the Siesta Key Crystal Classic will benefit student scholarships at Ringling College of Art and Design.

09/20/2019 By Staff

Sand Sensations

Meet the Winners of the 2018 Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Competition

The annual competition drew thousands of people to Siesta Key Beach.

11/12/2018 By Megan McDonald

Sand Sport

Siesta Key Crystal Classic Brings Friendly Competition to a Childhood Pastime

The 2018 Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival is less "fun in the sun" and more "blood, sweat and tears."

11/08/2018 By Giulia Heyward

Mark Your Calendars

The Ninth Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Takes Place November 9-12

In 2017, the festival welcomed more than 60,000 attendees and brought in $9 million in economic impact from tourists.

06/21/2018 By Vanessa Blankenship

Tourism

Report Puts Sand Sculpture Festival's Economic Impact at $9 Million

Total attendance at last year's Siesta Key Crystal Classic added up to 60,100, with 67 percent coming from outside the area.

03/01/2018 By Staff

Let's Get Sandy

Meet the 2017 the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Winners

The Crystal Classic brings together locals, tourists, and international sand sculpting teams.

11/13/2017 Photography by Ella Melzer

Sandimonium

Siesta Key Crystal Classic Returns

The annual sand-sculpting competition returns to Siesta Key Beach Nov. 10-13.

11/01/2017 By Stephanie Isaac

Sculpt This

Meet The Winners of This Year's Siesta Key Crystal Classic

This year's Crystal Classic drew international sand sculptors and thousands of visitors to Siesta Key Beach.

11/14/2016 By Megan McDonald

Weekend Planner

Your Top 8 Things to Do: Nov. 10-16

Chalk Festival, a sandcastle classic, Sarasota MOD Weekend and lots, lots more.

11/10/2016 By Ilene Denton

Sculpt This

7th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Festival Kicks Off Nov. 11

Siesta Key Beach will transform into a sand sculpture garden. Here are the details.

11/10/2016 By Lana Allen

Beach Day

6th Annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Kicks Off This Weekend

The 6th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition kicks off at Siesta Key Beach this Friday, Nov. 13.

11/11/2015 By Savannah Handerson

Article

iShots: Sarasota Chalk Festival and Siesta Key Crystal Classic

This week, photographer Robert Castro checks out some of the world-class festivals happening in Sarasota right now: the Chalk Festival and the Siesta Key Crystal Classic Master Sand Sculpting Competition.

11/15/2013 By robertc