The sculptors competing in the 2009 North American Masters Invitational Sand Sculpture Contest in Port Angeles have been confirmed. Four will be returning from last year, one from previous contests and four new sculptors will be plying their craft during Arts in Action on the Port Angeles city pier, July 24-26

"We’ve got a great lineup this year," said Charlie Beaulieu, the event’s resident master sculptor.

Dan Belcher, last year’s first-place winner with "Music, the Final Movement"; Carl Jara, who won second place with "The Internet"; Damon Langlois, who placed third with his cubist-style trio called "Jazz"; and Damon Farmer, who was awarded People’s Choice for his "Castlematic-3000" sculpture will return.

Also making another appearance will be Fred Mallett, who has competed here several times.

Joining this year’s veteran sculptor lineup will be DeLayne Corbett of Victoria, British Columbia, Brent Terry from Seattle, Dan Glover from Portugal, and Sue McGrew of Tacoma.

"The caliber of talent for this competition is unsurpassed. You won’t find better sand sculpting anywhere in the world," said Doc Reiss, president-elect of Nor’wester Rotary and one of the event organizers.

"Of the group this year, three are quite notable," he said.

"Sue McGrew is 23 and already recognized as a World Master. She’s the youngest sculptor we’ve ever had compete. Carl Jara won the grand prize at the World Masters Competition last year at Harrison Hot Springs, making him the best of the best. And Dan Glover is a sculptor we have tried to attract for a couple years now. He is one of the best in the world."

The North American Masters Invitational is known in the sand sculpting community as one of the top contests in North America, and there is a waiting list of those wishing to attend.

For more information, call Doc Reiss at 457-0456 or Steve Zenovic at 417-0501.