Painting the Promenade and Riding the Wave
Written by Camryn Carmichael. Graphic by Laura Garcia Gomez.
Spring in Savannah is chock full with local events. Here at SCAD, The Sand and Sidewalk Arts Festivals are by far some of the most impressive opportunities for creatives and the community to come together.
For those more accustomed to the peaceful buzz of Forsyth Park and Tybee’s sea breeze, coupling large moving crowds with late spring sun will certainly be a change of pace. If you’re feeling the heat, allow festival winners Samuel Doejaaren (B.F.A., Film & Television, 2024), who won Sand Arts in 2024, and student Laura Garcia Gomez (M.F.A., Graphic Design) who won Sidewalk Arts this year to help you cool off.
A Ride to the Waves, and A Chalk In the Park
Getting to each festival will be the easiest part for most.
Like many Sand Arts competitors, Doejaaren chose to carpool to the festival with his teammates. Due to the limited parking available at Tybee, SCAD also provides regular busing for registered contestants where they can check in starting at 8 a.m. Both are modes highly recommended to avoid and minimize traffic during the flow of competition.
Since the Sidewalk Arts Festival is held in town, Garcia and her friends were able to walk. “I think it gets you into the mindset of going to a festival while letting the streets of Savannah inspire you along the way,” she adds. As long as you arrive by check in time, feel free to take the scenic route!
Can you say, “Trowel?”
Looking for tools to ensure your competition day is a success? For Sand Arts competitors, Doejaaren says, “Buckets are essential for transporting water from the ocean to your piece.” With sand being the only other material allowed, transporting water is a top priority. And if your team has their sites set on the prize? Tools like chisels, shovels and trowels will keep your detailed work efficient. Pro tip: using your cell phone camera ensures larger compositions look balanced.
For Sidewalk Arts, competitors want their work to stick around long enough to blow the judges away. With no spray adhesives allowed, Garcia recommends using sponges, “They help us spread the chalk and set it well throughout the drawing.”
Mind over Matter
Tools in tow, it’s time to think of the big picture: with unlimited possibilities in a limited space, how much can you expect your team’s spot to affect your work?
Doejaaren says, “Every time we have participated further back on the beach we found the sand to be of good quality.” New contestants and spectators who’ve seen the impressive work he and his teammate have pulled off would certainly be inclined to agree. But if you find yourself with a spot by the shoreline, fear not! “Overall the sand quality had little effect on our final composition.”
And for those working in the close quarters of Forsyth, Garcia has great advice for making sure all of your teammates shine. “We made the most of it by sharing the space,” she says. “We started the drawing by dividing it into five sections, with each of us working on a different area, then we combined everything together.”
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Establishing a game plan is a sure fire way of ensuring that everyone is riding the same wave.
For those focused on the craft, this can mean preparing weeks in advance to work out the kinks and get familiar crafting with sand. Doejaaren says, “My group member (Cole) and I would always practice weeks ahead of the event to test different sketches and references.” The two practice creating the designs from their sketches more than once. That way, “it’s almost like muscle memory when sculpting.”
On the contrary, for those committed to going with the flow and a cool group activity, you may draw inspiration from Garcia’s intuitive approach. “We just had fun,” she says. “We agreed to make our theme ‘spring,’ and from there each of us could do whatever we wanted in our space.”
Coulda, Woulda, Most Definitely Shoulda
Even seasoned participants in each competition can only be so prepared. The one thing these previous winners wish they had more of is water — lots of it.
Doejaaren says, “My partner and I both struggled to stay hydrated even though we brought several bottles.” And with H2O in first place, sun protection is a close second. Garcia not only advises sunscreen and a hat, but a long sleeve shirt as well. She goes the extra mile to prevent sunburn as it’s always better safe than scorched.
No plot? No spot? No Problem.
The SCAD Sand Arts Festival is quite the attraction and Doejaaren recommends spectating attendees take their time on the way to the waves. “I always recommend my friends and family to come out about 2 hours after we start so that they have something to look at.” With the competition starting at 10 a.m, it’s best to arrive around noon. So enjoy your brunch and a show to fill the time as you watch the rest of the sandy magic unfold.
Sidewalk Festival attendees are encouraged to follow suit. “I think the afternoon is better because you get to see the finished artworks, enjoy milder temperatures and avoid large crowds,” says Garcia. “But if you like to see the process behind the pieces, it’s better to come around 12 p.m to make the most of your day.”
Not a fan of sand or standby, but still want in on the action? The Air or Sand Jam competitions might be more your speed. The Air category of the Sand Arts Festival allows contestants to build “inflatable or flying sculptural forms” and “kinetic, wind-powered objects.” Just make them self-sufficient, sturdy and arrive with them between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. so they can be set up and soaring for the judges. The Sand Jam category will cater those who want to soak up their fun in the sun in one spot. Bring your own drawing materials and sketch up for warm ups, then choose your final media for the competition. Submit your best sketches of the vibrant day at Tybee to the Sand Jam tent by 2 p.m. for judging.
The Sidewalk Arts Festival also grants the opportunity for locals and students to do more watch and participate. In between watching the competitors and waiting for results to be announced, you can visit a variety of food trucks, a performance by SCAD’s vocal ensemble The Bee Sharps and other performances.
