Hands in the Sand: SCAD Sand Arts Festival Returns May 2
With spring well underway, we are entering Tybee’s peak season, which is defined by warm weather and exciting events that draw sizable crowds every year. One such event is a fast-approaching fan favorite that you won’t want to miss. If you’ve never seen a shoreline transform into an alfresco art exhibition, get ready to witness the 2025 SCAD Sand Arts Festival!
Stellar sandcastles, surprising sand sculptures, and spectacular sand reliefs handcrafted by talented students from the Savannah College of Art and Design will soon adorn the shores of South Beach on Friday, May 2 on Tybee. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the SCAD Sand Arts Festival is a local tradition adored by locals and tourists alike. The festival is an artful competition where SCAD students and alumni vie for coveted cash prizes in categories like Sandcastle, Sand Relief, Air, Sand Jam, and SCAD Spirit.
In the morning, individuals and teams will sculpt their sand artworks, and at 2 p.m. a panel of esteemed judges will review the submissions to determine the winners in each category. The festival will culminate with the award ceremony taking place around 3:30 p.m., celebrating the day’s best and boldest creations with well-earned recognition and enthusiastic applause from beachgoers and fellow artists.
The shoreline will become an open-air gallery featuring impressive works by SCAD artists as well as a large-scale sand drawing by renowned environmental sand artist Andres Amador. Known for his ephemeral and intricate designs, Amador’s work adds a mesmerizing layer to an already awe-inspiring event. Each year the Sand Arts Festival attracts thousands to the island who come from near and far to marvel at these sensational sand artworks and soak in the creative energy that fills the beach.
Now in its 23rd year, the Sand Arts Festival finds its origins in the ‘90s when architecture students would take to the beach to craft 3D sculptures from the sand. What was once known as the Great Welsh competition has since grown into one of the most highly-anticipated local events that spotlights the innovation, talent, and boundless creativity of the SCAD community.
The festival is presented by the SCAD School of Foundation Studies and is free and open to the public. So, don your sunnies, slap on some sunscreen, bring a friend or two, and spend a beautiful day at the beach admiring these out-SAND-ing artworks!
