Photos of world-class sand sculptors at work!

Ten world-class master sand sculptors compete by creating amazing masterpieces!
Ten world-class master sand sculptors compete by creating amazing masterpieces!

This morning I headed over to the 2014 US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition right as it opened, hoping to avoid the worst of the Labor Day weekend crowds. My timing was perfect, as the world-class competitors were all hard at work on their solo sand sculpture entries! I’m told they began on Friday; it appeared their truly breathtaking masterpieces were nearing completion.

For your enjoyment, I present many photographs of these super talented international Sand Masters at work!

Kirk Rademaker is a Sand Master who has won 10 major international awards.
Kirk Rademaker is a Sand Master who has won 10 major international awards.
Kirk Rademaker works on his shoe sand sculpture on San Diego's B Street Pier.
Kirk Rademaker works on his shoe sand sculpture on San Diego’s B Street Pier.
The master sand artists all work very carefully as big festival begins.
The master sand artists all work very carefully as big festival begins.
Early Saturday morning, and the big Labor Day weekend crowd isn't here yet.
Early Saturday morning, and the big Labor Day weekend crowd isn’t here yet.
Joris Kivits from The Netherlands has won many awards in different countries.
Joris Kivits from The Netherlands has won many awards in different countries.
Joris Kivits works on an elegant, simply incredible work of art.
Joris Kivits works on an elegant, simply incredible work of art.
2014 US Sand Sculpting Challenge is in San Diego by the cruise ship terminal.
2014 US Sand Sculpting Challenge is in San Diego by the cruise ship terminal.
A close photo of some very fine work by a sand sculpting master.
A close photo of some very fine work by a sand sculpting master.
Helena Bangert, from The Netherlands, also does snow and ice sculpting!
Helena Bangert, from The Netherlands, also does snow and ice sculpting!
Helena Bangert steps back to look at her fantastic artwork on the Embarcadero.
Helena Bangert steps back to look at her fantastic artwork on the Embarcadero.
A lot of patience and steady-handed work is required to create each masterpiece.
A lot of patience and steady-handed work is required to create each masterpiece.
The skyline of downtown San Diego can be seen in the background.
The skyline of downtown San Diego can be seen in the background.
Chris Guinto has starred in three TV shows on the Travel and Discovery Channels!
Chris Guinto has starred in three TV shows on the Travel and Discovery Channels!

Check out my last blog post, which features Chris from days earlier!

Chris Guinto concentrates as he carefully smooths an edge on his sculpture.
Chris Guinto concentrates as he carefully smooths an edge on his sculpture.
Chris is married to a master sand sculptor who's in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Chris is married to a master sand sculptor who’s in the Guinness Book of World Records.
An exotic, unusual creation seems to depict an ancient warrior.
An exotic, unusual creation seems to depict an ancient warrior.
JOOheng Tan from Singapore is often called Vincent Sand Gogh!
JOOheng Tan from Singapore is often called Vincent Sand Gogh!
JOOheng Tan has won many top prizes around the world!
JOOheng Tan has won many top prizes around the world!
What appears to be a simple piece is actually beyond astonishing...
What appears to be a simple piece is actually beyond astonishing…
Look at the inside of the sculpture. Wow!
Look at the inside of the sculpture. Wow!
Sue McGrew is a star on the rise and has won several important competitions.
Sue McGrew is a star on the rise and has won several important competitions.
Where is Sue McGrew... She's inside this strange sand box!
Where is Sue McGrew… She’s inside this strange sand box!
The art is inside this hollow, angular sand sculpture!
The art is inside this hollow, angular sand sculpture!
I guess you gotta peek through the slots to see the finished marvel!
I guess you gotta peek through the slots to see the finished marvel!
John Gowdy is a Jersey boy now living in Italy. He won Sand Wars on the Travel Channel.
John Gowdy is a Jersey boy now living in Italy. He won Sand Wars on the Travel Channel.
John Gowdy's piece is both amazing and dramatic.
John Gowdy’s piece is both amazing and dramatic.
Some people in a row boat are being upset by a hungry shark!
Some people in a row boat are being upset by a hungry shark!
The vibe of this sand sculpture is crazy good.
The vibe of this sand sculpture is crazy good.
Melineige Beauregard of Canada believes sand sculpting is a spiritual experience.
Melineige Beauregard of Canada believes sand sculpting is a spiritual experience.
This stylishly rendered human head radiates with warmth.
This stylishly rendered human head radiates with warmth.
Visible are the Broadway Pier and a few visitors to the US Sand Sculpting Challenge.
Visible are the Broadway Pier and a few visitors to the US Sand Sculpting Challenge.
Melineige's work of art has a second figure hidden within the hair!
Melineige’s work of art has a second figure hidden within the hair!
Sandis Kondrats hails from Latvia! He won the Grand Prize at last year's competition!
Sandis Kondrats hails from Latvia! He won the Grand Prize at last year’s competition!
Sandis Kondrats takes a break to check his smartphone.
Sandis Kondrats takes a break to check his smartphone.
Very organic human heads are fused together in this fantastic creation.
Very organic human heads are fused together in this fantastic creation.
The world masters' sand sculptures are lined up alongside San Diego Bay.
The world masters’ sand sculptures are lined up alongside San Diego Bay.
Michela Ciappini from Italy is a frequent trophy winner here in San Diego.
Michela Ciappini from Italy is a frequent trophy winner here in San Diego.
One side of Michela's sculpture is very sparse, modern and geometric.
One side of Michela’s sculpture is very sparse, modern and geometric.
But something is growing between those straight sand buildings.
But something is growing between those straight sand buildings.
A huge sand rose and human form emerge on the other side!
A huge sand rose and human form emerge on the other side!

My next blog post will feature additional cool pics of the entire event…

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

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Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

39 thoughts on “Photos of world-class sand sculptors at work!”

    1. I can hardly believe that all of these pictures are sand. Such unbelievable talent.
      I love San Diego even though I have only been there once when I was six years old. I am now a senior but the city pulls me like no other place.
      As a full-time blogger I write stories about my aunt who was a pilot in the 30’s. In her later years she lived in San Diego. Soon i will be posting stories about her life in San Diego. I plan to visit San Diego soon.

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      2. Thank you for commenting.Those sculptures are amazing, aren’t they? I’d be horrified to see my art washed away with the tide.

        Your aunt’s story sounds intriguing, so I’m going to folow your posts.

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      3. Everything about sand sculpture excites me. I only wish I could come to San Diego soon. I am so pleased to read about your work and see the wonderful pictures.
        Thank you for posting this wonderful information.

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    1. They’re made of quarry sand (not beach sand) which includes a little clay, so they’re reasonably sturdy. If nobody touched them and it didn’t rain (it probably won’t here for months), they’d last for quite awhile!

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  13. Thanks for following my blog. If you hadn’t, I never would have had the opportunity to visit your wonderful posts. Following back, and reblogging this particular post. Excellent photos of the San Diego Sand Art Challenge!

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  15. Breathtaking! I had no idea such sculptures took place. Going to reblog this over on Learning from Dogs. Discovered this as a result of your kind decision to follow Learning from Dogs for which many thanks.

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  19. Pingback: Photos from past US Sand Sculpting Challenges! – Cool San Diego Sights!

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