The tide was rolling in, erasing an elaborate labyrinth in the sand when we arrived at Face Rock Overlook in Bandon. Had we arrived earlier we could have walked from one end of the art work to the other.
It’s really hard to choose a favorite small town along the Pacific Coast from Central California to Olympic National Park in Washington. The competition is ferocious. Of the ones we have stayed at or visited on this trip, our favorites so far are Point Reyes Station, Mendocino, and Bandon. We could happily live in any of them. Each of these towns are easily walkable, have unique personalities, and feature incredible seashore scenery and wildlife. I might add that both Point Reyes Station and Mendocino have top of the line independent bookstores, a factor that Peggy and I always consider. While Bandon has a small bookstore with a good selection for its size, it is the town’s dedication to public art that stands out. We will be featuring four different aspects today.
Denny Dyke began creating his sand sculptures on the sand near Face Rock over 10 years ago. Peggy and I remember seeing one during one of our first visits to Bandon after we moved to Oregon. Now his project has been adopted and supported by the whole community of Bandon.No two designs are ever the same. This year’s theme is love.We watched as a woman added a heart and filled it with colorful small pebbles.Natural rock forms are worked into the designs.Here the design, now being washed away by the tide, had been worked around what I called the Lion’s Head.Peggy, who can never resist a labyrinth, was walking what had been left of it by the tide. Walks are actually scheduled on days when the labyrinths are created between the time they are finished and before the tide washes them away. The website for Circles in the Sand lists the dates and times and suggests that the walk takes about 20 minutes.A final view looking south along the shore. In ways, creating art to be washed away by the tides reminds me of Burning Man where beautiful works of art are created and then burned.While not part of labyrinth, we thought that this whale that Peggy and I found on the beach made of driftwood and small rocks deserved to be included.I featured this tufted puffin in my last post. It was created from trash gathered along the beaches of Oregon by the organization Washed Ashore. The stated purpose of the organization is: “To build and exhibit aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways and to spark positive changes in consumer habits.” It has done an amazing job.A close up of the puffin’s head. Washed Ashore sculptures created in Bandon can now be found in locations across the US and around the world, each with its powerful message about trash thrown into the ocean.While we found the puffin along the trail that follows the coast near Face Rock, this fish by Washed Ashore was located down at Bandon’s Marina right next to the town.A frontal view of the fish…And a look into its mouth.Bandon’s Marina also featured several impressive carved wood sculptures such as this octopus…A whale…Pelicans…Fish…A crab…And a seahorse…We also liked this rock snail.While we were visiting, volunteers were busily hanging art for Bandon’s 21st Annual Boardwalk Art Show. Anyone from kids to professional artists was invited to submit a painting. Liking weird (I won’t blame Peggy here) I selected four appropriately strange paintings for today’s post.If you have had much experience with seagulls, it isn’t hard to imagine them pulling a stunt like this. Our next post will wrap-up Bandon with a focus on scenery, seals and sea birds.A creek meanders out to the Pacific Ocean at Devil’s Kitchen, Bandon, Oregon.
I finally bestirred myself to do a little online snooping, and sure enough: Sylvia the Silvertip Shark is a part of the Washed Ashore program! There are twenty-one or so sculptures scattered around Galveston, although I’ve only seen Sylvia. Now that I’ve found the site that lists all of them with locations, I just might trek around to see them. They’re going to be here until September. It really is amazing, the kinds of connections that pop up in this blogging world. You post about the sculptures in Bandon, and I find some of them on Galveston Island!
Those labyrinths are wonderful. I may have missed it, but how long does it take to create one? The creation would have to be as carefully timed as the visits. After all, the tide rises, the tide falls. If the poet had seen these, he might have ended the poem with the line, “and nevermore returns the artist to the shore.”
I’d be right there with you in Galveston, Linda. The Smithsonian also has a collection.
My guess is the the artist has a couple of hours. There are actually 3-4 artists and normally around 12 volunteers. I think it would be a kick to help out.
Hope so on the sculptures. As I recall, Australian beaches were relative free of trash. Is that still the case, Peggy. Volunteers help with the work of bringing the labyrinths to fruition. I think that would be fun.
I’m always amazed he “draws” those labyrinths freehand. (Free rake?) Some people have talent that’s just hard to believe. On our last trip down there, by the time we got there the tide had done its work, so no first hand amazement. But I’ve seen it featured on OPB Art Beat a time or two.
We did swing by the Washed Ashore shop when we were there. Pretty amazing talent there, too.
I have loved Bandon for years, and this post gives me more reasons to love it. I haven’t been there in ages. The sand art is such a great idea. I could be completely happy spending an entire day creating a giant piece of artwork like this until the tide defeated my efforts. 🙂
Wandering through Time and Place 
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This is beautiful!
Lots of talent, that’s for sure, Brigitte.
I finally bestirred myself to do a little online snooping, and sure enough: Sylvia the Silvertip Shark is a part of the Washed Ashore program! There are twenty-one or so sculptures scattered around Galveston, although I’ve only seen Sylvia. Now that I’ve found the site that lists all of them with locations, I just might trek around to see them. They’re going to be here until September. It really is amazing, the kinds of connections that pop up in this blogging world. You post about the sculptures in Bandon, and I find some of them on Galveston Island!
Those labyrinths are wonderful. I may have missed it, but how long does it take to create one? The creation would have to be as carefully timed as the visits. After all, the tide rises, the tide falls. If the poet had seen these, he might have ended the poem with the line, “and nevermore returns the artist to the shore.”
I’d be right there with you in Galveston, Linda. The Smithsonian also has a collection.
My guess is the the artist has a couple of hours. There are actually 3-4 artists and normally around 12 volunteers. I think it would be a kick to help out.
This is really neat! How fun to discover the connection, and then what a great idea to try and find them all. ❤
The labyrinths are fantastic. Maybe one day I’ll see them in person. I’m going to see if any Washed Ashore sculptures have made it to Australia.
Hope so on the sculptures. As I recall, Australian beaches were relative free of trash. Is that still the case, Peggy. Volunteers help with the work of bringing the labyrinths to fruition. I think that would be fun.
I can’t speak for all beaches, but most Australian beaches are quite tidy—except for seaweed and blue bottles.
Loved the paintings! The seagull eating a pizza is hilarious! Two eyes on one side got me chuckling. The puffin is also beautifully made!
I picked out the ones that were fun to me. Grin. Glad to see they struck a chord.
I find the sea creatures made from trash fascinating. –Curt
Quite elaborate!
Indeed they are, G. And always different.
such an abundance of ingenuity and creativity! Who would have thought the devil had a kitchen!!!
Cooking up trouble, Arati. Grin.
🙂
Bandon is such a special place. Thanks for sharing the sand art work!!!
Our minds were pretty much blown by the sand art, Barbara. Thanks!
I can see why you like Bandon so much. And those sand labyrinths are fabulous.
Alison
It’s an easy place to like, Alison! Did I mention friendly? –Curt
I’m always amazed he “draws” those labyrinths freehand. (Free rake?) Some people have talent that’s just hard to believe. On our last trip down there, by the time we got there the tide had done its work, so no first hand amazement. But I’ve seen it featured on OPB Art Beat a time or two.
We did swing by the Washed Ashore shop when we were there. Pretty amazing talent there, too.
I have loved Bandon for years, and this post gives me more reasons to love it. I haven’t been there in ages. The sand art is such a great idea. I could be completely happy spending an entire day creating a giant piece of artwork like this until the tide defeated my efforts. 🙂