Former Ringling student takes home top award at Crystal Classic

Following the impacts of multiple hurricanes to Siesta Key, the Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting festival is being held as usual from Nov. 15-18. 

In fact, sculptor Dean Arscott, a 2008 Ringling College of Art and Design graduate, was having an excellent time over the weekend.

It wasn't just because he managed to win the first place award in both the sculptor's and people's choice categories, among a group of international artists. 

"We've had gorgeous weather this year," he said. "Didn't have to deal with any rain. We had like a tiny, tiny little sprinkle the first morning, but that was virtually nothing, so it's been as perfect as a sand sculpting event can be."

The signature event of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the festival features professional sand sculpting, sand sculpting demos and lessons, an amateur competition and a professional speed-sculpting competition known as Quick Sand. 

It is a major tourism and economic boost during the island's shoulder season, said the Chamber's Nancy-jo Manney, while for the fifth year in a row, the major portion of the proceeds also goes to Ringling College.

"We are very happy that, in spite of the hurricane, we are attracting a significant audience," Manney said on Sunday, noting that numbers were "excellent" over the weekend.