Teresa Grimaldi conjures the Sandown Clown
7 June – 31 August 2025
The enigmatic Sandown Clown sightings of the 1970s are stepping back into the spotlight as part of our Sandown Rocks project. Despite being global phenomena, with some YouTube videos reaching 390K views, and even a Tatty Devine necklace, this peculiar piece of ufolklore remains surprisingly unfamiliar in its home town of Sandown. Aiming to bring this local legend home, artist Teresa Grimaldi will be in residence at Boojum & Snark this July, where she’ll be creating a giant puppet inspired by Sam. The public is invited to visit and contribute to the puppets development, offering a unique opportunity to be part of the creative process.
“Imagine a 7ft visitor who spoke through what appears to be a toy microphone and snacked on berries… the bizarre story of All Colours Sam isn’t just fascinating, it holds the potential to ignite unique tourism and events right here in Sandown. For example why not go Sandown Clown hunting! But first, watch actor and comedian Marek Larwood’s funny Cool Dudes Walking Club film on YouTube for inspiration “ Tracy Mikich, Creative Producer
Alongside the Sandown Clown creation, writer Anmarie Bowler of Brevity fame will be leading creative writing workshops. These sessions will explore the world of the unexplained, and participants will be encouraged to produce short pieces of fiction. These flash fictions (or are they?) will then be made into a zine, which will be available at the Sandown Carnival and Sandown Regatta on August 10th, where the completed Sandown Clown puppet will also make its debut.
The Sandown Clown / I Am All Colours project offers a chance to engage with a curious piece of Sandown local history and contribute to its contemporary interpretation – and have some fun too. I am the Sandown Clown!
Want to get involved in the Sandown Clown magic? Pop into Boojum any Thursday or Friday in July between 11 am and 5 pm OR Saturday mornings from 10am to chat with artist Teresa! She’ll be there working on the puppet and would love to share her vision – and there will be ways for you to contribute!
Brevity Creative Writing Workshop
Brevity, the Isle of Wight’s Literary Handbill, will be offering a FREE drop-in creative writing workshop on Friday 11 July 3pm-7pm. Be prepared to write s super short story about a Sandown sighting that is unexplained, curious or just ridiculous. For more information click here
The Mystery of the Sandown Clown – declassified
Talk at Bembridge Fort / Event now finished
Adding to the exploration, Paul AT Wilson, the Bay’s arts and culture representative, professional writer, artist, and Island folklore expert, lead an event at The Magazine Theatre, Bembridge Fort on Saturday June 7 at 7.30pm He offered a fascinating insight into the original sightings, including previously unseen documents.
“The Mystery of the Sandown Clown (Declassified) is more than just a talk — it’s an unveiling. I will be presenting never-before-seen documents, private correspondence, and official records that have lain hidden for decades. This isn’t second-hand speculation or recycled internet lore. This is new. This is raw! “
Paul AT Wilson
Press coverage of the event click here
Further Exploration 👇
On The Wight feature
Exploring Sam, the Isle of Wight’s surreal clown encounter
Marek Larwood
The Search For The Sandown Clown
A walk around Sandown
The Sandown Clown
Bedtime Stories 390K views
The Sandown Clown (AKA The Sandown Spaceman)
Eerie’s Vault 39K views
Curious Archive
Sam the Sandown Clown: Alien, Man in Black, or Folie à Deux?
The Isle of Wight Entity Case
The full case report from the ARCHIVES FOR THE UNEXPLAINED (AFU) where only personal details have been redacted. This is available to buy from Amazon by Flying Disk Press but please note as these are original copies some of the detail is hard to discern.
Internet Archive –
BUFORA Journal Volume 06 No 05 JanFeb – FT the Sandown Clown
The British UFO Research Association or BUFORA is a UK organisation dedicated to investigating UFO phenomena in the British Isles
I Am All Colours is part of a larger programme, Sandown Rocks, made up of events and exhibitions running at Boojum from March to December 2025. Sandown Rocks explores folklore, mythmaking, local identity, and future possibilities and is supported by Arts Council England.
