DECATUR - Sand sculptor Patrick Harsch was still in the process of shaping a heap of sand into art Friday evening as people filed into Nelson Park to watch the fireworks.

Having an idea of what he was to create, he began smoothing out the sand and carving details in the piece related to the Lakeside Music and Arts Festival.

Harsch said many people walked by in awe of his display, even though it was incomplete. And others speculated about what he was making.

"So many people walked up and said, 'Wow, it's Ironman,' " he said with a laugh. "That's when I knew I had to label (a movable wooden pose model) so people would know."

Harsch's sculpture will continue to be on display today at the Lakeside Amphitheatre at the festival.

Harsch is part of Team Sandtastic of Sarasota, Fla., which builds about 75 sculptures a year nationwide for corporate events, festivals and weddings. Team Sandtastic, owned by Mark Mason, set a Guinness world record in 1998 for the tallest sand sculpture built by hand in less than 100 hours.

With 44 tons of sand he had brought to Lake Decatur, Harsch created a collage of music and art icons. Paintbrushes and an artist's palette and several musical instruments were etched into the sand with an elaborate music staff wrapping around the exhibit.

Harsch began the 16-hour project Friday morning, shoveling and building up the sand to his desired height.

"You really make it up as you go along," he said of creating the sand sculpture, "because you never know where everything will go.

"It's not clay. You have to use objects to brace up other objects. Doing it in layers gives it the strength."

Harsch is a commercial artist from Clearwater, Fla., who works with sand "about 90 percent of the time," he said. He also sculpts foam for major theme parks nationwide.

Raejean Kopetz of Decatur was taking pictures of the sculpture because she understood that it was only temporary.

"It's beautiful to see up close," she said, "and he's put in so much detail.

"It's nice to bring something like this to Decatur. This is showing that art is anything you want to be (and) should motivate these kids out here to be creative."

Starting from the top and working his way to the bottom, Harsch wasn't afraid to walk barefoot in the sand and get messy, mainly because he's used to it.

By Saturday afternoon, he exclaimed, "I'm pretty tired."

"Everyone out here has been real nice and encouraging. This is better than being on the road," he added.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.