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Sarasota News Leader November 9, 2012 tal Classic. Having traveled the world himself for competitions, he knew his fellow sculp- tors would relish the opportunity to dig their hands into the beautiful fine sand with which he began his carving career. Wigelsworth takes pains to point out that the creations of these sand masters are works of fine art. Some of the "statues" stand 10 feet tall or higher, and the intricacy of the sculpt- ing can be likened to that of any marble work that graces a public plaza. One only has to gaze upon the sculptures to understand the delicacy and determination that makes these massive designs possible. Indeed, the sculptors come equipped with Page 25 artists' tools to craft such lifelike features as horses' manes that seem to fly in the gulf breeze and the spiked teeth of a giant sea monster which seems ready and willing to snap its jaws at you if you dare to venture too close to it. Not only does the Crystal Classic give Sara- sota County residents and tourists alike the opportunity to see these magnificent works of art, the proceeds from the $5 admission fee people pay go toward Mote Marine Laborato- ry's acclaimed sea turtle research and conser- vation programs. "I was at Mote last night," Crystal Classic Co-Chairwoman Cheryl Gaddie told The Sara- Something Fishy took a second place trophy in 2011. Photo by Norman Schimmel