The poet William Blake’s most famous lines from his poem “Auguries of Innocence” capture the essence of finding the universe in small details:
To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
So, in that spirit, this week we’re taking a deep dive into sand! We’re looking at what it’s made of, the art people make with it, natural formations, and more. The next time you go to the beach, you may just have a little more appreciation for those tiny grains. Let’s begin our sand expedition with beach music on Bands of the Sand.
Yours in media,
Elizabeth He, Visual Communications Editor
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The Beauty of Sand
Art Loft Explores Sand Art Competitions
Marvel at the unique sand sculptures from the International Sand Art Competition in Key West. It’s way more than your typical sandcastle.
ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Sand Art Bottle
Watch the appraisal of an Andrew Clemens sand art bottle, ca. 1885. Then listen to a story of how another bottle of sand art led the team to discover an amazing artist on “ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Detours.”
Arts Break: Rangoli Sand Artist
The beautiful art of Rangoli is an intricate, colorful painting created entirely of sand. This ancient form of art started in India and is now popular all over the world. Uncover the hidden meaning behind Rangoli.
Broad and High: Mandala Sand Painting
A group of Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery visited Dublin, Ohio, to create a mandala sand painting of “The Buddha of Compassion.” How did they do it?
Sandcastle Building Tips from a Professional Sand Sculptor
Many people will be heading to the beach in the summer. But how do you build an epic sandcastle?
The Sand Around Us
Where to Explore Sand in New England
For many, the word “sand” immediately evokes thoughts of lazy summer days at the shore. Here are five wonderful but different ways to explore sand in New England this summer.
How Revere Beach Became America’s First Public Beach
130 years ago, Revere Beach first opened to the public. Check out how this beach looked 40 years ago in 1986.
Weekends with Yankee: Outdoor Adventures
Co-host Amy Traverso heads to Cape Cod in a vintage Land Cruiser to explore the dunes of Sandy Neck Beach. Come along for the ride!
Barriers at the Beach: GBH News Investigative Series
The Commonwealth boasts about 1,400 miles of coastline, but only about 12 percent is open to all members of the public. Let’s turn our attention to the shifting sands of Massachusetts’ beach policies.
In the Americas with David Yetman: Brazil’s Land of Sand
Visit Brazil’s northeast coast and a tree that has become a major tourist attraction. What could this tree possibly be?
Impossible Builds: Europe in the Desert
Can six sand islands betransformed into the most luxurious holiday destination on Earth? One man believes they can, and he’s risking tens of millions of dollars to prove it.
Recipe of the Week
Sand … wiches? Oven-Baked Croque Monsieur Sandwiches from Milk Street Television
Here’s a simple, fuss-free recipe for the iconic French ham and cheese sandwich. (Does not contain sand.) What’s the secret ingredient?
Sand Science
* Each piece of sand on the beach has a story to tell. Unravel and decipher the biography of a sand grain with Dr. Allen Gontz and GBH Forum Network.
* So many animals rely on sand. Watch turtle hatchlings emerge from sand, pufferfish make sand sculptures for mating, and bees build sandcastles.
* Learn how the shape of a grain of sand can impact erosion on New England beaches.
* Do you know about the natural sound phenomenon of booming sand dunes? There are about 30 locations on Earth where sand dunes produce a low, rumbling tone. Find out how this occurs.
* When it comes to generating power, shining light on silicon opens up many possibilities. NOVA explores how to harvest electricity from sand.
* Clouds made of sand make for a strange kind of rain on this hot planet. Which is it?
Dive Into America 250
America 250 YouTube Playlist
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with content from across GBH, from ANTIQUES ROADSHOW to AMERICAN EXPERIENCE to GBH News and more!
Off Topic
1. Tessa takes us inside Winthrop, Massachusetts’ unique 4th of July traditions with America’s Awesome Kids. Follow along as she competes in the Horribles Parade costume contest and ends the day with a firework display!
2. GBH’s Summer of American Music shines a spotlight on John Williams. Learn about the man behind iconic film scores, including Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and more.
3. The Tartan Army, a Cape Verde Cinderella story ... As the United States connects and celebrates with fans from across the globe, is America’s World Cup changing how the U.S. is perceived on the world stage? Watch The World Cup Effect to find out.
