![\"2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-40\"](\"http:\/\/www.extrawdwmagic.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/sand-sculpture-2011\/2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-40.jpg\")
![\"2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-41\"](\"http:\/\/www.extrawdwmagic.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/sand-sculpture-2011\/2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-41.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn 2009 Nora and I flew down for a long weekend in May. \u00a0This was the first year I recall seeing a sand sculpture at the Flower and Garden Festival. \u00a0My recall is that the sculpture was to promote the Disney Nature series. \u00a0In 2008 Disney had founded a new division to work on nature documentaries – reviving a craft that Walt actively practiced n the 1950’s. \u00a0In 2009 the sculpture focused on “Earth” – the first release from this new division. Last year (2010) we were here longer and I noticed the sculpture changed… The focus in 2010 was “Seas” – the movie\/documentary to be released that summer. This year I actually saw some of the work being done for the “African Cats” to be released this year.<\/p>\n
The sculpture was very pretty and I wondered how they kept it looking so good. \u00a0We are not big beach people thus we have never seen a sand castle contest. \u00a0I think we both built a couple of sand castles as real small kids but that is the extent of my knowledge. \u00a0When I saw the sculptors using so many tools and then using a setting solution on the sand I was amazed. \u00a0The work is impressive and the techniques used must be learned over many years. \u00a0I cannot imagine how long these sculptors “practice” to get so good.<\/p>\n
The setting solution seems to work like hair spray. \u00a0By applying it to sections as they carve it keeps the wind from blowing away their work. \u00a0As best I could tell it also protected the sculpture from light rain. \u00a0However one night we had a big storm and I happened to be in Epcot the next day. \u00a0The sculpture was mostly collapsed due to the storm. \u00a0I imagine working in such a delicate medium you get accustomed to your work being destroyed… \u00a0Undaunted, the sculptors soon rebuilt with slight variations.<\/p>\n
If you haven’t noticed these sand sculptures when visiting the Flower and Garden Festival – take time to seek them out. \u00a0I certainly hope that they continue to be a part of the event as they are amazing “temporary” works of art. \u00a0Enjoy a few photos below…<\/p>\n
nick<\/p>\n
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![\"2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-42\"](\"http:\/\/www.extrawdwmagic.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/sand-sculpture-2011\/2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-42.jpg\")
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![\"2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-43\"](\"http:\/\/www.extrawdwmagic.com\/wp-content\/gallery\/sand-sculpture-2011\/2011-epcot-flower-garden-festival-43.jpg\")
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In 2009 Nora and I flew down for a long weekend in May. This was the first year I recall seeing a sand sculpture at the Flower and Garden Festival. My recall is that the sculpture was to promote the Disney Nature series. In 2008 Disney had founded a new division to work on nature <\/p>\n