October
Publisher: Moonlight Publications
Editor: Catherine “Cat” Donnelly
Photographer: Patricia M. McGrath
Contributors: Lucinda Wierenga
Contact information sanddollarpispi@gmail.com
Publication’s Location: Port Isabel, Texas
All unattributed photos courtesy of individual artists or sandyfeet.com.
Cover photo by Andrea Wright of Wright choice photography
It’s that time of year when ten of the most talented sculptors in their field descend upon South Padre Island (SPI) to create masterpieces from that stuff we love to hate finding in our shoes, our shorts and our sheets — SAND! As with any other art form, it will be enthralling to watch these artists turn mounds of art material into their vision of this year’s challenge.
Last year’s theme was “Pirates!” and the centerpiece ship sculpture was a hit with the crowds. This year our sculptors will tackle another kind of threat to beach tranquility with a piece we’re calling “Aliens on the Beach!” Exactly what does that entail, you wonder? Well, you will just have to come out to SPI October 3-6 at Clayton’s 6900 Padre Blvd, South Padre Island, TX 78597 to find out!
We have two returning champs from last year - Karlis Ile (from Latvia) took 2nd place with “Grandma” and Marie-Line Gagne (of Quebec) took 3rd place with “The Lovers.” Three newcomers to SPI all bear watching - Francisco Calvilla (Mexico), Bogdan Ku and Jihoon Choi (S. Korea) have all won accolades for their sculpting skills all over the world. We are so lucky to have them here on our little sand pit!
Last year was the first time we tried making special sculptures designed specifically for photo opportunities, and they were a great success. We’ll be doing something similar—but different— this year. Let me just say that many of you are going to want to participate. The sculptures will be carved by Joon Park - aka “JP Sandman” of YouTube fame (500,000 followers and counting!). This is sponsored by Sandcastle Island, Inc.
Most sand sculpture contests that attract this caliber of talent charge an entry fee. In fact, Texas Sandfest in Port Aransas charges adults $30 for a
three-day pass to their event. Granted, it is a larger competition, with multiple categories and lots of vendors spread out over a much greater area than SPI’s event. Even so, residents and guests alike may not be aware of how cool it is that they get to see the whole show for free at our Sandcastle Days.
However, there are ways you can help support the event and show your appreciation of the talent on display. For example, you can vote for the People’s Choice Award with your spare change. Forget your wallet? This year you will be able to tip the artists directly by scanning QR codes on their info signs. You can buy something from one of our vendors or pick up a cool beverage and a bite from Clayton’s kitchen.
And come by for FREE sandcastle lessons - we call it “SandCamp.” There will be the vendors, kiddy rides and lots of great live music you’ve come to expect from this family-friendly event.
Have you been to The Village lately? If not, you’d better hurry up and catch the last opportunity to see the “Dog Days of Summer” sculpture and fundraiser for local animal rescue organizations. It will be on display until the week of Oct. 7th, when some of our visiting out of town sculptors will re-carve a large chunk of our sculptures into something with a holiday theme. Come by and see them at work!
On the trail, you will find new sculptures at Kelly’s Irish Pub and the SPI Birding and Nature Center, as well as a “refreshed” sculpture at the SandBox Inn. Lastly, a big thank you to all who have put a dollar (or more) in our donation boxes. Those dollars add up and allow us to maintain and improve The Village and the trail. www. sandyfeet.com/
Dear Reader,
This year’s “Aliens on the Beach!” theme for South Padre Island’s Sandcastle Days from October 3-6 is sure to be as much fun as you can possibly have with sand! Did you know that there really is no good synonym for the word “sand?” An editor’s job is to reduce the amount of word repetition in articles or publications, but you will not see any substitutions in this Sandcastle Days pull out, because there are none!
Without getting too technical, sand is made up of the breakdown of rocks and shells that wash up on the beach. It is primarily silica, usually quartz, and also feldspar. Only the hardest materials wind up surviving the process, which is why it feels so uncomfortable when it gets into areas where it’s not exactly appreciated. Just know that it is a wonder of nature and does many things including protecting our shorelines and supporting life by being the habitat or breeding ground for turtles and other animals.
As someone who has not played with it nearly enough, I find the art that’s produced by this abundance of gritty stuff we call
sand wondrous to behold. It’s ephemeral, yet there are ways to preserve it for longer periods of time with a little know-how. We invite you to enjoy this fun little publication and come out to the event! Take note in the bios that while some sculptors had backgrounds in art, others just jumped in and had an enthusiasm or a love of it immediately. Maybe it brings out the child in all of us.
No matter what stage of life you’re in or whether you’re a visitor or a local, kick off your shoes and get in the sand and just have fun. Free sandcastle lessons are the perfect introduction. Are you waiting for permission? You don’t need it here. Just show up and try it!
We hope to see you at the shoreline!
Warm regards,
Catherine “Cat” Donnelly Editor, Sandcastle Days
You can help support this signature event in multiple ways:
1. For as little as $100, we will put your name, URL, message or business logo. Order online givebutter.com/scdays24 early for best placement -- but we will continue to take orders until there is no more room!
2. Bring some spare change to the event and use it to vote for your favorite sculptor. We are also providing QR codes that will allow you to tip the artists directly.
3. Photo Op Area - Get your photo taken with your favorite candidate - and vote with your spare change.
4. SandCamp: Get an on-site sandcastle lesson from a professional! No charge, but tips are always welcome.
All tax-deductible donations go to the artists via Sandcastle Island, Inc. (SII)a 501(c)(3) non-profit working to bring more incredible sand sculpture to South Padre Island all year round…
While Lucinda has been involved with Sandcastle Days from day one as an organizer and then a competitor, this year she is limiting her involvement to “organizer and head cheerleader.” Lucinda has made her mark on the sand sculpture world by competing and participating in events all over the world since the late 80s. In recent years, she has concentrated her energies on bringing more professional sand sculpture to South Padre in the form of the Sandcastle Trail and the Sandcastle Village. She also gives sandcastle lessons, creates customized “beach billboards” and will no doubt be sharpening up her tools to work on the Sandcastle Days centerpiece sculpture.
You can see more of her work at sandyfeet.com
Christy McDonald Atkinson is thrilled to be returning to South Padre Island’s Sandcastle Days Family Fun Fest which is her favorite event to participate in. She just so happens to be the daughter of SPI legend “the Amazin’ Walter,” and as his doubles partner, she has built sculptures in the sand at many competitions around the U.S. and Canada.
For many years, Atkinson worked as “Ruby the Pirate Queen” on the Black Dragon Pirate Ship in Port Isabel. When not playing in the sand, she lives with the love of her life, Darren Atkinson, and their two cats on the Funny Farm. She likes to sew, make jelly and create art. She is also a balloon twister, face painter and stilt walker. Christy also loves jokes - good and bad.
In 2004, Dmitrii Klimenko of Russia received his Master of Arts (M.A.) from Saint Petersburg State Academy of Industrial Art and Design, Department of Monumental Arts. He has taken part in international festivals of ice and sand sculpture all over the world. Klimenko also works with bronze and wood.
“I always thought the sculpture was a kind of beautiful art for the ages, something very serious for the museums and squares. I never expected the great joy I would find in stepping away from an academic way of thinking. Once I started, I instantly loved working with this material. Every time I push the limits of sand, I discover new ways to play with it. Sand provides never-ending possibilities to grow and that’s why I am always happy to work with this amazing medium. Each sculpture is unique and temporary. Each project is a new challenge.”
We have Dmitrii to thank for our “Elon Musk’s Rocket” sculpture at the SPI Sandcastle Village - a crowd favorite. Be sure to stop by and check it out!
Joon Park - aka JPSandman - started sand sculpting back in 2014 when he was still in his high school years. After losing his job to COVID in 2020, he decided to upload his very first video online. Blowing up and amassing a following of close to 900k+ followers on all platforms, he started his journey making anime/cartoon sand sculptures.
Currently going viral for his sand Profile Picture Trend he started, over time he has evolved different styles of sand sculpting. Currently, he has made sculptures for the likes of Taylor Swift, Steven Spielberg, NBA Super star C.J. McCollum, Google, Amazon, and many more. Joon will be creating our very special photo-op sculpture this year. Let’s make him feel welcomed!
Recently, he has started competing in more sand sculpting contests in the hopes of improving his overall skills, even traveling to Canada to be on television. With passion and dedication for sand seemingly bursting out of the seams, this is something he sees doing for the rest of his life.
Stay informed of his journey by following @JPSandmanca on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
No Sandcastle Days event would be complete without an appearance from that old SOB (Son of the Beach) hisself - the Amazin’ Walter. Thirty-six years ago, he and Lucinda “sandy feet” Wierenga started this event, and they are as surprised as anyone that it’s still going on. Walter’s sandy art skills have carried him around the world, and he shows no signs of slowing down. As the self-styled “Oldest Sandsculptor in Captivity” we have given him a category all to himself - one he is guaranteed to win. Come and cheer him on while he applies his amazing artistry to the beach!
By Lucinda Wierenga
Sandcastle contests: Almost every beach town has one. You will find a crenelated tower here, a goofy minion there, and the obligatory volcano! But it is the lucky beachgoer indeed who happens upon a “masters-level” sand sculpture event.
These events started popping up worldwide in the mid-1900s and continue to grow in popularity. They can attract huge crowds because where else can you watch classically-trained artists engage in their craft — with an athletic twist (because shoveling sand is hard work)? Figure skating comes close.
10 tons of unorganized dry sand that they will shovel and pack with lots of water into massive forms layered on top of one another. This step called the “pound-up” typically requires four to eight hours of backbreaking labor, which ensures that the sculptor will be utterly exhausted by the time he begins sculpting. Competing at this level requires both a strong back and a light touch!
Meanwhile, spectators gather and shout out questions like “What is it going to be?” Most serious artists would cringe at the thought of having their work judged, in real time, at various stages of incompletion, by people whose idea of fine art might be, well — minions. Why would anyone subject themself to this?
The attraction is the freedom to choose what to sculpt - and to have 3-5 uninterrupted, paid days to create pretty much whatever you want before a large and (mostly) appreciative audience. Even a themed contest, i.e. “Myths and Legends,” is usually open-ended enough that the sculptor can find a subject that will interest and challenge them.
These contests may include amateur categories, but the headliners are all there by invitation. These artists are chosen not only for their sculpting skills, but also for their ability to shovel massive amounts of sand in all kinds of weather situations.
And it doesn’t hurt if they’re also good at working the crowd. In addition to the juried awards, there is nearly always a “People’s Choice” (PC) prize.
These are generally timed events with three to five days being standard. The sculptors are given a diluted glue mixture to spray on the carved bits as they go to help preserve crisp details and provide some protection from wind and rain. Each participant is assigned a mound of approximately
While most will choose subjects designed to thrill, others use the opportunity to make a statement, and not one that everyone is going to like. Check out the recent sculpture of a beheaded Theresa May at the Weston Sand Sculpture Festival in the U.K…. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-englandsomerset-48269000.
The best contests will invite sculptors who are known for a variety of distinctive styles, so you might see cartoon characters showing up next to realistic wildlife near an abstract piece followed up by a classical figure. This can make for quite a challenge to those tasked with judging. Masters’ level contests are typically self-judged, with competitors asked to evaluate every sculpture but their own.
There is no objective way to judge these events. Since these sculptors are drawn from a relatively small pool of qualifying artists, we all know each other. We may have worked on big projects together and we have certainly seen each other’s work at contests or on the interwebs. Doing the same sculpture over and over again may win you PC awards, but your peers are going to want to see something new, something that pushes the limits of the medium. And that means big cut-throughs and scary overhangs and even the occasional collapse.
Q. What is the sound made by a collapsing sand sculpture?
A. The soft susurration of sighs from the surrounding spectators
Lucinda Wierenga is a master sand sculptor who has participated in contests all over the world for some 40 years. She is also a founder and organizer of South Padre Island (Texas) Sandcastle Days which is in its 36th year.
This article first appeared in “Sculpture Magazine.”
Albert Lucio, Jr., of Austin, Texas, carved his first five-gallon bucket of sand in 2005 after a friend told him about an upcoming local sculpting event on the beach. A week later, Albert competed in that event, a grueling 25-hour straight-through-thenight challenge, for which he was woefully underprepared. After recovering from dehydration and the worst sunburn he had ever experienced, Lucio dedicated himself to his new passion, sand sculpting. Since then, he has felt grateful to learn from and work alongside all the amazing sculptors from around the world whom he has met and is proud to call friends. Lucio enjoys incorporating symbolism into his art and often hides subtle clues for viewers to find and explore, adding depth and intrigue to his creations. website: albertlucio.com Instagram: @iamnotalucio
Hailing from sunny Florida, Amanda Bolduc’s sand sculpting journey began on the beaches of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. During family vacations she would attend sand sculpting events year after year, and in 2006 finally decided she wanted to try it herself. Armed with nothing but a shovel and a bucket, Bolduc and her mother set to work creating her first sand sculpture.
Bolduc quickly realized that sand sculpting was not as easy as it looked. It took hours of back-breaking hard work and determination to create a sculpture that was both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. But the satisfaction of hearing the crowd’s reaction, made her realize this first sculpture was worth all the effort.
Since then, Bolduc has gone on to compete throughout the U.S. at semi-professional competitions and moved up the ranks to Master Sculptor in 2022. Additionally, Amanda started carving snow in 2015 and competes annually at the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Bogdan Kutsevych from Kyiv, Ukraine has been working in the fields of architecture and fine art. He started to work with snow as a medium, then tried sand sculpture, straw and hay sculpture, and finally experienced working with ice.
Kutsevych participated in various competitions and symposiums around the world including: Canada, China, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the U.S. Kutsevych likes to install ecological sculptures. The materials that are used in these sculptures are 100% recyclable, because they come from the natural environment, and they return to it without any harm to the ecosystems.
Creating short-lasting art is an interesting and challenging task. Kutsevych does not regret that these installations are sometimes short-lived because maybe they are not always perfect and do not deserve to exist longer than they do. Sand, snow and ice sculptures underline the ephemerality, fragility and impermanence of everything on this planet which are also the main themes for his sculptures. In addition, Kutsevych likes to research topics such as: love, relationships, life, war and peace, nature, wonders...
bkutsevych@yahoo.com
https://www.instagram.com/ bogdankutsevych/ https://www.facebook.com/bogdan. kutsevych/
By Catberine Donnelly
A rather large orange metal object washed up on the shore of South Padre Island (SPI) between mile markers #9 and #10 one ordinary day. It was approximately 2004, when the band OutKast was climbing the charts with their song “Hey Ya!” and “George Dubya” was in the middle of his 2-term presidency. Of course, it caused quite a stir among the locals. People wondered what it could possibly be?
What was affectionately nicknamed the ‘UFO’ is actually an escape pod vessel or lifeboat pod from an oil rig platform in the Gulf, according to local resident Tommy Saenz, aka “Tiki Tommy.” A quick Google search shows that they come in a variety of sizes, shapes and capacities. SPI’s UFO is a smaller pod that’s 14 feet in diameter and resembles the spaceship from “Lost in Space” and countless other vintage Science Fiction shows and movies. It’s very apparent how it earned its name. Larger craft, on the other hand, usually resemble the “Yellow Submarine” of Beatles fame.
SPI’s UFO has had an interesting life of decay as it’s pillaged by visitors and exposed to the elements over time, but has simultaneously started a new phase as a constantly developing piece of environmental art. At some point, it was also moved from its original location and dragged to its current location somewhere near mile marker #6. Surely someone out there knows when and why. It only adds to its mystery.
Shortly after the UFO ‘landed,’ it was discovered by Doug Wicks, an environmental artist and winter Texan from Montana, said Saenz. Wicks would come down every year for three to four months at a time and clean up the beaches, then make art installations with the mostly plastic trash that he would find. He was also a self-avowed nudist and would generally work on the UFO and other installations in the buff unless there was a lady present. “No tan lines” was his motto.
Saenz and others teamed up with Wicks and worked on their masterpiece. They painted it and glued seashells, crushed
aluminum cans, and different kinds of other beach debris all over it until it was a sublime work of art. When they weren’t working on it, others also added paint or writing or whimsical toys and other items to the vessel, inside and out. Each visit to the UFO would be a different iteration of its layers of everevolving art.
Wicks looked forward to working on his various art installations each year, including the UFO which had taken on a life of its own. One of his other works is a tower of upended plastic buckets of different colors, crowned with a hard hat and surrounded by the bucket’s colorful lids halfburied into the sand.
The pink item is a plastic piece that is dragged along during surveying and is now adorned with cigarette lighters and various other detritus. He would frequently attach flags, rope, plastic bottle caps, toys, lighters and other colorful curios to logs and pieces of driftwood. He once made a representation of a tree in wood and the leaves were trashed flip flops with little flowers made of lighters crawling up the “trunk.” Sadly, Wicks has since passed away.
In the warmer months, where the sand dips downward toward the bottom of the vessel, it’s a haven for rattlesnakes and people have been bitten by them.
“It’s important to warn people about the rattlesnakes around the bottom of the UFO,” said Saenz. “People like to get up close to it and even add to it, but it could put them in danger if they’re not careful.”
One of the original things painted on the UFO was “Nude Beach” with an arrow pointing towards the northern tip of SPI. People frequently ask if there really is a nude beach that way, and if so, where is it?
“Well, if you drive up the beach from Access #6 and go to where the end of the road is, and then go about 5 miles past that, you’ll find the nude beach,” said local historian Steve Hathcock. “There’s a whole lot of nothing past there, so we would tell people that if they’re far enough out that they feel comfortable taking their clothes off, then that’s where the nude beach is.”
According to Saenz, there used to be a sign that simply has the word “Nude” scrawled on it in black paint, and that’s apparently
where the nude beach is. “You can find people nude bathing in that general area, but there is a hand-painted sign that tells you where the nude beach is actually located,” said Saenz.
So, the curious are on their own when trying to find the unofficial nude beach on SPI. Oher interesting points about this particular type of watercraft is that it’s made of fiberglass and comes with bench seating, seatbelts, an engine for propulsion, a rudder to steer with, a rudimentary bathroom, a beacon location signal, and would generally have other provisions like life vests, food and water in case an event has necessitated a quick escape from the ship or oil rig platform. While these enclosed lifeboats resemble a submarine, they travel along the surface and are self-righting in case they capsize.
Many used or expired pods, in various condition, can be found on the open market as they’re being disposed of from giant ships that are being scrapped, ready to have a renewed purpose that is only limited by the next owner’s imagination. Occasionally, as in the case of SPI’s UFO, it simply escapes a rig platform or ship and just washes up on shore like the countless other things the sea continually gifts to the land.
All that being said, perhaps, just perhaps, an authentic UFO may have landed on South Padre a few decades ago and aliens survived the crash, morphing into human form. Maybe they live among us even to this day. Anything is possible.
It is illegal to drive on any of the city beaches which can garner fines of up to $500. It is illegal to drive over the sand dunes, as they are protected.
Vehicles can only use a county access to get onto and drive on the beaches. It’s important to check the weather and tide charts before embarking down the shoreline. The speed limit is 15 mph on Texas beaches that allow vehicles.
According to the sopadre.com website, SPI beaches allow camping from County Access #5 to any point north of that. There is a nominal fee to access the county beach by vehicle and the first several miles are accessible by most two-wheel drive vehicles and RVs. From that point on, the beach is probably only accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles. Also, there are no amenities and cell service is spotty. The good news is that bonfires, pets, and fishing are allowed. There are showers and
restrooms at Beach Access #5 and a large dumpster to empty trash as leaving no trace of one’s visit is the courteous and ecologically conscious thing to do.
For general questions about visiting South Padre Island, contact the island’s Visitors Center at info@sopadre.com or call (956) 761-6433.
Catherine “Cat” Donnelly is an editor and lifelong writer from poetry to journalism, holding a Bachelor’s of English/Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She lived in Port Isabel for 7 years where she owned an antique store called The Cat’s Meow Vintage Emporium and wrote and edited for the Press. She has since moved back to the hills of Arkansas to be near family, where she currently resides with her husband Steve, Fiona the pug and Tombstone the kitty rescued from the Port Isabel Cemetery.
“You can find people nude bathing there is a hand-painted sign that beach is actually located,” said
their own when trying to find the SPI. Oher interesting points about watercraft is that it’s made of fiberglass seating, seatbelts, an engine for steer with, a rudimentary bathroom, and would generally have other food and water in case an event has from the ship or oil rig platform. lifeboats resemble a submarine, they and are self-righting in case they
pods, in various condition, can be as they’re being disposed of from scrapped, ready to have a renewed by the next owner’s imagination. case of SPI’s UFO, it simply escapes just washes up on shore like the sea continually gifts to the land.
just perhaps, an authentic UFO Padre a few decades ago and morphing into human form. Maybe this day. Anything is possible.
It is illegal to drive on any of the city beaches which can garner fines of up to $500. It is illegal to drive over the sand dunes, as they are protected.
Vehicles can only use a county access to get onto and drive on the beaches. It’s important to check the weather and tide charts before embarking down the shoreline. The speed limit is 15 mph on Texas beaches that allow vehicles.
According to the sopadre.com website, SPI beaches allow camping from County Access #5 to any point north of that. There is a nominal fee to access the county beach by vehicle and the first several miles are accessible by most two-wheel drive vehicles and RVs. From that point on, the beach is probably only accessible to four-wheel drive vehicles. Also, there are no amenities and cell service is spotty. The good news is that bonfires, pets, and fishing are allowed. There are showers and
restrooms at Beach Access #5 and a large dumpster to empty trash as leaving no trace of one’s visit is the courteous and ecologically conscious thing to do.
For general questions about visiting South Padre Island, contact the island’s Visitors Center at info@sopadre.com or call (956) 761-6433.
Catherine “Cat” Donnelly is an editor and lifelong writer from poetry to journalism, holding a Bachelor’s of English/Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She lived in Port Isabel for 7 years where she owned an antique store called The Cat’s Meow Vintage Emporium and wrote and edited for the Press. She has since moved back to the hills of Arkansas to be near family, where she currently resides with her husband Steve, Fiona the pug and Tombstone the kitty rescued from the Port Isabel Cemetery.
Originally from West Michigan, Schreiner is a painter and sand sculptor. After moving to Galveston, Texas, he runs the Galveston branch of Sandy Feet Sandcastle Services. Schreiner.has been giving sandcastle lessons and creating sand sculptures for events and competitions for more than 13 years and has taken home prizes in several master’s events including Siesta Key’s Crystal Classic, Texas Sand Fest and South Padre Island’s Sandcastle Days. When he’s not on a pile of sand, you can find him climbing rocks, playing guitar, or trying to make friends with the local cats.
Mexican sculptor Francisco Calvillo originates from Zapopan, Jalisco and graduated from the University of Guadalajara with a degree in Visual Arts. While developing his artistic talent, Calvillo has participated in numerous individual and group exhibitions in various galleries, cultural centers, academic institutions and installations in public spaces, forums, exchanges, contests, cultural festivals and television shows in various states of the republic and abroad.
Since 2008, Calvillo has entered the realm of sand sculpturing as an independent artist. His work is permanently on display on the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta, in Jalisco, Mexico, where it is considered one of the city’s tourist attractions.
Karlis Ile, a professional sculptor from Latvia, has been creating art professionally since 1995. He works with various materials: bronze, steel, granite, wood and recently ice, snow and sand — because he likes how “the primeval force of these natural materials, along with the magic of the moment, makes energy vibrate.”
Ile graduated from Art Academy of Latvia and holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Humanities. He also finished Figural Sculpture Master workshop.
Ile holds numerous gold medals from international festivals in many countries, including Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Japan, Lithuania, Russia, Switzerland, the U.S., and his home country of Latvia. He participated in Sandcastle Days in 2023 where he took 2nd place with his sculpture entitled “Grandma.”
Isabelle Gasse of Canada was nudged into finding her artistic destiny at the tender age of 16, thanks to an art teacher that encouraged her to compete in a local amateur snow sculpting event in her hometown of Québec.
A fast-rising professional in the art of snow and ice sculpting, Gasse is shaping her frosty fantasies in worldwide events such as the Ice Hotel of Québec among others, In the process, Gasse has brought home many awards. Monumental and ephemeral sculptures is now the way for her to sow a little more poetry in this world.
Switching from snow boots to sandals, Gasse swapped her ice-carving gadgets for a beach bum toolkit so that she could enjoy the delightful feeling of the sun while carving. Since 2021, she has been bringing her personal surrealistic and sensible touch in many sand events such as “The Canadian Race Against the Tide” television show. She also competed in South Padre’s Sandcastle Days in 2023 and has contributed to SPI’s Sandcastle Village.
Choi studied environmental sculpture at the University of Environmental Sculpture. After an accidental meeting with a famous American sand artist, Choi began experiencing the beauty of this ephemeral art. He is now actively engaged in sand sculpture production in South Korea and at a famous sand sculpture festival in Asia. He gains a lot of experience by participating in famous sand sculpture competitions in the United States and enjoys making friends from all over the world. Choi dreams of eventually creating a sand museum in South Korea.
Marie-Line Gagné is an artist fueled by boundless creativity and a love for the whimsical wonders of nature. Since 2017, she’s been carving her path, quite literally, in ice, snow, wood, and sand--transforming dirty logs, frozen landscapes and sandy beach shores into vibrant masterpieces
Gagné had been seen surfing her professional waves not only in national and international competitions, but also on television reality shows with her funky participation in season 3 of “Race Against the Tide.” This is Gagné’s second year of competing at this event where she took third place in 2023 with her sculpture “The Lovers.”
With every stroke of her chisel and every grain of sand, Gagné continues to spread joy and wonder with her ephemeral art, proving that sometimes, the best way to leave your mark on the world is to sculpt it with a smile.
PI = Port Isabel, SPI = South Padre Island
Baked Bear
For handmade ice cream without the HFCS and not pricey, this is your place! And the fresh baked cookies with it, will make your inner child dance with joy!
100 E Swordfish St, Suite D, SPI, (956) 299-4026
Blackbeard’s
For a very varied menu, from seafood to burgers, where everything is good and doesn’t break the bank, this is the place to be! Great service!
103 E Saturn Ln, SPI, (956) 761-2962
Coral Reef
Don’t leave the island before getting Reefed! Great drinks and service with a food truck in the parking lot. Specials daily. Entertainment nightly from live music to nightly karaoke!
5301 Padre Blvd, SPI, (956) 761-1813
Daddy’s Cajun
Casual joint for Cajun-inspired seafood, including pastas & po’ boys, with a full bar & fish market. Serves happy hour food choices and great for watching sports!
1800 Padre Blvd, SPI, (956) 761-1975
El Papa’s
Popular authentic Mexican restaurant and very popular breakfast place that includes big fluffy pancakes! Family owned for more than 35 years! Attentive staff. Very affordable. 814 S Garcia St, PI, (956) 943-7133
Casual breakfast & lunch spot providing a mix of American & Mexican dishes, plus an espresso bar. Includes vegan menu and cocktails! 100 E. Swordfish Street, SPI, (956) 761-8463
Grouchy Gringo
Southern Coastal - Cajun inspired cuisine in the Historic Lighthouse District. Enjoy refined twists on classic dishes and delicious unique creations in a fun, quirky atmosphere! Breakfast, lunch or dinner.
313 E Maxan St, PI, (956) 433-5336
Hopper Haus Bar and Grill
A unique blend of German, American, and Mexican cuisine alongside Texas craft beers on tap. Enjoy live music or relax in the outdoor biergarten, steps from the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse. Welcoming and helpful staff.
418 E Queen Isabella Blvd, PI, (956) 299-4600
The first-ever full-service fly shop/coffee shop with beer & wine in the region. Fun concept and welcoming atmosphere. Inspired food choices from pastries to avocado roast to delicious Thai brisket tacos. The service is top-notch! 410 Padre Blvd #111, SPI, (956) 596-0558
Casual surf ‘n’ turf spot with decks overlooking Laguna Madre Bay, multiple bars, DJs & dancing. Serving up hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, and handmade desserts! 2305 Laguna Blvd, South, SPI, (956) 761-6406
Locally owned Italian Restaurant. Made-From-Scratch daily: nearly everything, including pastas, pizza dough, house bread, meatballs, and sauces. Select from steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches and homemade desserts. Fun and friendly staff. Inside/outside dining. Great selection of wines and full bar. 2412 Padre Blvd, SPI, (956) 299-4605
Nautico Island Grill
Dine where the vibe is Tropical Modernand the cuisine is a fusion of Mexican and Seafood.Theyserve freshcaught fish and shrimp, sandwich favorites, salads and more.Try their drinkswhich can be ordered with or without alcohol. 1313 Padre Blvd, SPI, (956) 772-7014
Choose from authentic Chicago or Cincinnati style hot dogs, Italian hot beef sandwiches, polish sausages and more! Fun atmosphere and great service. Don’t forget the locally made cheesecake or key lime pie from Chilo’s for dessert! 5312 Padre Blvd, SPI (956) 299-4600
Authentic Chicago-style hotdogs, seafood dishes, burgers, Mexican cuisine and other delicious meals made from fresh ingredients. They will prepare your fresh caught fish for a modest plate fee. Draft beers, great atmosphere and friendly service makes this a great hangout for locals and tourists alike! 3212 Padre Blvd, SPI (956) 761-8999
A variety of handmade breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices, ensure that every meal is fresh and delicious. They’ll even cook your fresh catch! Experience the warmth and hospitality, and enjoy a beer or cocktails! Water views and beautiful sunsets over the channel. 418 TX-100, PI (956) 943-2414
This fun hotel is within walking distance from the beach as well as thrill rides at Gravity Park and many other island amenities. Featuring a laidback restaurant and 2 bars, including an outdoor pool, hot tub, live entertainment, Monday night karaoke and weekly pool parties (seasonal). Must be 21 or older. Amazing helpful and friendly staff! Annual host of SPI Pride. Call for ticket info for October 2024! 120 E Atol St., SPI 956-761-5953
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