GULF SHORES — Sand Castle University (SCU) is making waves on the Alabama Gulf Coast with exciting new partnerships. They recently teamed up with Toyota and L’Oreal, marking significant collaborations for the local business.
Anita Spicer from SCU highlights, “These are our biggest national collaborations yet.” The partnership with Toyota began when their marketing team reached out for a commercial featuring the new Grand Highlander. Janel Hawkins, the owner of SCU, eagerly accepted the opportunity.
Some clips from the advertisement appeared on SCU’s social media, and the full commercial was shared on their YouTube channel. Spicer praised Janel, saying, “She did a fantastic job with filming and editing. Her sculptures included a steering wheel, a seat, a dashboard, and even the logo.”
For the L’Oreal collaboration, Hawkins crafted a sculpture of the headquarters topped with a bottle of their new sunscreen, though this content hasn’t yet been released.
Hawkins expressed her excitement over these larger collaborations: “It’s been really validating as an artist and a business owner.” She also mentioned her past projects, which include sculptures for movies like Disney’s “Moana 2” and Netflix’s “SpongeBob: Saving Bikini Bottom.”
Aside from these big projects, SCU creates sculptures for various events like the Hangout Music Festival and the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships. They also produce custom sculptures for local businesses, including recent work for Young’s Suncoast Realty & Vacation Rentals.
SCU’s community involvement remains strong. Hawkins plans to keep sculpting for fun and local businesses to stay connected with her roots. She shared, “More requests are coming in for collaborations and custom sculptures, which allows me to focus on sculpting instead of teaching full time.”
SCU, which Hawkins launched in 2017, saw a significant boost in business during the COVID-19 pandemic when families sought safe, outdoor activities. The company has cultivated a remarkable online presence, reaching one million followers on TikTok by December 2024. They also have 444,000 followers on Instagram and 714,000 on Facebook.
According to recent trends, user-generated content like Hawkins’ creative time-lapse videos resonates with viewers. This reflects a growing desire for authentic and engaging content on social media. It’s clear that SCU is not just about sculptures; they are about bringing joy and creativity to the community.
For those interested in the art scene or local business partnerships, SCU is a shining example of how creativity can thrive, even in challenging times. To learn more about their journey, you can visit the [SCU website](https://www.sandcastleuniversity.com). Exploring how small businesses adapt can offer inspiration and insights into the resilience of community-driven initiatives.