CAPE CANAVERAL — Combine about 30 volunteers, 12 shovels, six rakes, a ton of sand and what do you get?
Artist Todd Brittingham of Fort Lauderdale created a sand sculpture titled "Sun and the Moon," which commemorates the end of the shuttle program with stars dedicated to shuttle astronauts who have died.
A work of art depicting the moon, sun and stars etched in the sand at Jetty Park. The creation, completed Sunday after four days of work, is the mastermind of Fort Lauderdale-based artist Todd Brittingham.
Every year since 1988, Brittingham has traveled across Florida creating a new "sky message" on the beach in honor of Earth Day. The creations are as large as 10 acres and best seen from an aerial view.
In addition to Earth Day, Brittingham also wanted to honor the shuttle program, which will come to an end later this year.
"I've been a big fan of NASA, and I thought this is the perfect year to do something space themed," the 47-year-old said. "We're dedicating this to the 14 people who lost their lives on Challenger and Columbia."
The sand sculpture is about 150 feet by 150 feet and contains 14 stars to represent the astronauts killed in the shuttle tragedies.
His crew of about 30 volunteers spent four days creating the piece.
Curious beachgoers milled around wondering what was being formed as volunteers used everything from their hands to a wheel barrel to perfect the artwork.
When it was completed, those involved laid around the sculpture to create human stars as a plane, paid for by Brittingham, flew overhead to snap photos.
"It was unbelievable," Brittingham said after seeing the aerial view. "You never really know what it will turn out or how accurate to the design it will be, but I'm just tickled it was so incredible. Probably the best one we've done in 23 years."
This is Brittingham's sixth trip to Brevard County, a place close to his heart since he grew up in Orlando and often came to Space Coast beaches.
He began doing the sky messages on a whim, when a friend in the real estate business asked for help with some advertising. Back then, the single college student pulled together about a dozen friends to help him with a day of fun on the beach.
"I can't believe what it's turned in to," said Brittingham, now a married father of two.
"It's a family event. We all get together every year. It' a chance to have fun and promote a positive experience. People say they aren't good at art, but everyone can dig, everyone can take part."
Some of the original dozen, along with numerous volunteers who joined in during the years, took part in the latest creation.
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