.Rich Varano started sculpting sand in 1964 as a kid helping his dad Frank, who had been an enthusiastic amateur sand sculptor for many years at New Smyrna Beach Florida, where young Varano grew up. He has been an award winning sand sculptor since 1971. His competition record spans thirty five years, with over a 95% ratio of wins and high finishes. He's a notable people's choice award winner possibly winning it more than anyone else in the world. He has won 11 awards at the World Championship events and numerous other international titles having performed on five continents. The only continent he has not been asked to carve sand on is Antarctica, but the season isn't over just yet. He also now organizes sand sculpture events of all sorts, including arguably, in terms of overall quality, quite possibly one of the premier major international sand sculpture shows of its kind in all the world. It is the Jesolo International Sand Sculpture Festival "Sculture di Sabbia"in Jesolo,Venice Italy, and he has been administering it for the past decade.
One reason he has been semi retired from competition the last several years, and in spite of his competitive and commercial successes, he is not a firm proponent of competitions in such subjective realms as sand sculpture as it is being done in several versions on the current world tour. However, he has recently come out for a special engagement by request. For the inaugural grand masters invitational event "Tournament of Champions" sponsored by the Vancouver Sun in Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia. Where only previous award winners at the World Championships were invited to vie for the ultimate in bragging rights as determined by the popular vote. He partnered with another world champion, Canadian friend and occasional employee Karen Fralich to win this prestigious event. Forever laying to rest any doubt that he has, if nothing else ...an uncanny ability to work with the best. He is available by appointment for commissions in sand, but regularly employs various other masters for multiple bookings, distant markets or large-scale team projects in the USA and abroad.
Visit the web site: sultansofsand.com or email: info@sultansofsand.com
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