He Left From Here, an angelic sand sculpture by World Master Dmitry Klimenko from St. Petersburg, Russia.
The following photos feature twelve of the most amazing sand sculptures you’re likely to ever see.
Each work of art was created by an internationally famous World Master sand sculptor. And right now, throughout this Labor Day weekend, the public can experience these fantastic works of sand art up close and in person at the 2018 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!
The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego, California is considered to be one of the premier Labor Day events in all the United States. At this unique competition, which is held on downtown’s Broadway Pier, visitors can also view incredible sand sculptures carved by super-talented local teams (this year three award-winning teams from Imperial Beach), and all sorts of additional three dimensional artwork along the pier.
But the most extraordinary sand sculptures are inside the pier’s Port Pavilion. And that is what I photographed today.
Prepare to have your breath taken away!
Fantastic art is created by one of the world’s top sand sculptors inside San Diego’s Port Pavilion at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.Dmitry Klimenko puts the finishing touches on a truly breathtaking work of sand art.Eulogy, a sand sculpture of a rhinoceros by World Master Brian Turnbough from Chicago, Illinois.The artistry seen in this sand sculpture is extraordinary.Brian Turnbough finishes a tribute to the endangered rhinoceros.Who Are You?, a fantastic sand sculpture by World Master Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova from Latvia.Closer photo of a remarkable sand sculpture.Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova puts the final touches on a sand cat.A visitor to the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego admires a small work of art.At Last, Atlas’ Last Atlas!, a humorous sand sculpture by World Master Morgan Rudluff from Santa Cruz, California.Morgan Rudluff works to finish her sculpture by early afternoon, to meet the competition’s deadline.A unique work of art produced by skilled hands and human imagination.The base of Liberation, a sand sculpture about freedom by World Master Dan Belcher from St. Louis, Missouri.An eagle is liberated from a cell-like cage. Dynamic sand art with great emotional impact.Existential Paradox, a mysterious sand sculpture by World Master Rusty Croft from Carmel, California.Peering through the existential paradox at an inner human face.A part of one face.Rusty Croft works on humanity’s mysterious inner essence.Another amazing sand sculpture inside the Port Pavilion!Let’s Dance, a fanciful sand sculpture by World Master Meg Murray from Australia.A closer photo of the graceful, organic sand sculpture.Meg Murray concentrates on her poetic sand art.Rear of the abstract Let’s Dance, with some simple sand sculpting tools on a table in the foreground.Victory, a classic sand sculpture by World Master Thomas Koet from Melbourne, Florida.Another fine work of art. It seems a miracle that such a detailed sculpture can be made out of sand.Thomas Koet at work on the back side of his triumphant sand sculpture.A world-class sand artist at work.To Have and To Hold, an amazing sand sculpture by World Master Abram Waterman from Prince Edward Island, Canada.An eye-catching photograph of an eye-popping sand sculpture!This photo makes it appear as though huge hands are clasping the artist Abram Waterman.Tender love depicted on the rear of the sculpture.A beautiful woman is held in the sculpted sand hands–in the eye of the beholder.Inspire, a beautiful sand sculpture by World Master Marielle Heessels from Netherlands.Flowing beauty magically rises from a block of sand.An inspirational sand sculpture in San Diego.Small Victories, a happy sand sculpture by World Master Lucinda “Sandy Feet” Wierenga from South Padre Island, Texas.Lucinda Wierenga creates amazing detail with very simple tools.A butterfly emerges from a flowery bottle full of small victories.Celebration, or Cerebration, a cool sand sculpture by World Master Leonardo Ugolini from Italy. Small figures gaze up at a gigantic brain!Astonishing art awaits visitors on Labor Day weekend in San Diego at the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!
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A sand sculpture rises at the foot of Broadway Pier in San Diego. It depicts fireworks above the Port Pavilion, site of the 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge this upcoming Labor Day weekend!
It’s almost Labor Day weekend! That means a huge, super cool event is almost here!
The 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Expo will be held on Broadway Pier again this year, and if it’s anything like past competitions, the sand art will be absolutely unbelievable. Some of the world’s top sand sculptors will compete inside the Port Pavilion, turning huge piles of sand into jaw-dropping masterpieces!
In addition to live music, food and lots of non-sand artwork at the dimensional art exhibition, World Master sculptors from all around the planet will be competing. So will three amazing teams from Imperial Beach!
Some early sand sculptures are already being built outside on the pier. The four I saw today either welcome visitors, or promote event sponsors. The competing sculptures inside the Port Pavilion will be much more elaborate. I’m not exaggerating when I say many of the sculptures from years past could be considered fine art.
This annual event opens Friday and runs through Monday.
I can’t wait!
Bumble Bee Jalapeño is advertised with a fun sand sculpture in front of the Port Pavilion.MTS will be promoting Free Ride Day on October 2 with this sand sculpture, which is a work still in progress.Another pile of sand is being shaped. New event sponsor T-Mobile presents the Hall of Lame with this funny sand sculpture!Using a shovel to get ready for this Labor Day weekend and the very cool 2018 U. S. Sand Sculpting Challenge on Broadway Pier!
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Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?
Today I headed down to Imperial Beach to enjoy the Sun and Sea Festival. The annual summer event is famous for its popular sand sculpture contest near the pier. You might’ve seen photos I took in past years.
In 2018 the theme for the sand sculpture competition was Superheroes In The Sand.
A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.Poster looks like a comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!A big sand sculpture near the event’s entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival. That caped hero seems to be holding a surfboard.I found my first superhero on the beach. It’s Wonder Woman!Here’s a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle. I hope Thanos doesn’t have that gauntlet on.Watch out Thanos! Hulk is finally really angry and ready to smash.The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I’m not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.Howie’s Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!And I see Wayne Manor, too!Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here’s the Mystery Machine!And here’s a super scary creature! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker somehow cleverly disguised as a big monster. Just my wild guess.According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don’t need a cape.Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.A local guy working on sand art that celebrates She-Ra. You’ll see why, shortly.A variety of heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful sleepy face.There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.Here’s the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!Team Sandstorm was creating their sand sculpture just north of the IB Pier.Forever Heroes. It’s a big Purple Cross.Sand spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.Many heroes behind the medal.The Sandcastle Man Team was creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.A sand sculpture rendition of a far distant world. Rebels and Resistance.The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter’s helmet.Superman entered a phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!Here are some hero lifeguards.Why do several local sand artists like the heroine She-Ra?This sculpture by the Sand Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman’s helmet.My Heroes.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Amazing works of art are being created by the world’s top sand sculptors at the 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in San Diego!
This morning I headed to the 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge. Here are photographs of ten amazing pieces of art that were being worked on by some of the world’s top sand sculptors. These amazing artists have won numerous sand sculpting championships. It’s easy to see why!
The theme this year is Now and Then. The sculptures all had something to say about the passage of time. I saw youth and old age. I saw glimpses of eternity. I saw essential human beauty: profound, elegant, alive. Carved in mere sand.
If you want to be awestruck, go see these sculptures before time (and a broom) sweeps them away. They’re down on the Broadway Pier inside the Port Pavilion through Labor Day.
Susanne Ruseler, top sand artist from the Netherlands, works on a fine sculpture that juxtaposes youth and old age.Bringing a profound vision to life using compacted sand and a few simple tools.A careful touch to bring out inner feeling.Master sand sculptor Ilya Filimontsev from Moscow, Russia creates an exquisite work of art. He won the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge in 2016.Master sand sculptor Dan Belcher from St. Louis, Missouri is creating an expressive, fantastic face.Thoughtful eyes gaze at each other.Abram Waterman is a Sand Master from Prince Edward Island, Canada. His sculpture is amazing, too.Looks like circuits in silicon that have come to life.Sue McGrew of Tacoma, Washington works on some monumental sand art that represents the continuum of time.Sue’s sketchbook provides some insight into her piece. The dividing line between past, present and future is an illusion.Numerals representing time whirl in the mind.Sand Master Thomas Koet, from Melbourne, Florida, creates amazing artwork that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.Another fantastic work of art at the 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.Rusty Croft from Carmel, California is carving a fantastic horse’s head made of sand.The sand horse’s interior appears to be made of mechanical parts!Sand Master Fergus Mulvany from Dublin, Ireland is creating a cool sculpture that is abstract and layered.Stepping back with shovel to have a good look. Fluid links seem to represent the flowing nature of time.Morgan Rudluff from Santa Cruz, California is creating some great sand art. It shows campers gazing from a mountaintop into the far distance. Looks to me like she’s just getting started.Melineige Beauregard from Montreal, Canada demonstrates what time does to even the most mighty.The most beautiful, amazing sand art on the planet right now can be found in San Diego–through Labor Day!
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People at the foot of Broadway Pier pause to watch three sand sculptures being created for the 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge this Labor Day weekend.
Three cool sand sculptures are being created this very moment at the foot of the Broadway Pier. They will welcome visitors to the 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge this Labor Day weekend! Master sand artists from around the world will participate, as well as many talented local sand sculptors.
The three sand sculptures I photographed this morning promote the upcoming LEGO Ninjago movie, the San Diego public transit system, and welcome visitors to the annual competition, which is sponsored by the Port of San Diego. The large central sculpture will include images of the USS Midway and the Star of India!
Check it out!
These local sand artists belong to the I.B. Posse. They’re working on a sculpture for MTS that will include San Diego’s skyline.I see some buildings taking form.You can see the three sand sculptures in this photo and a bit of the Broadway Pier.The big sand sculpture in the middle by the Port of San Diego will feature images of the USS Midway and tall ship Star of India, which I see taking form in this photo.Master sand artists are at work in San Diego, getting ready for the upcoming international sand sculpture competition!Melineige Beauregard, a champion sand sculptor from Quebec, is working on this super cool LEGO Ninjago piece!Several cool works of sand art are being created at this very moment on San Diego’s Embarcadero!
UPDATE!
I got photos late Monday of the three sand sculptures. The finishing touches were being carefully applied!
The Port of San Diego is presenting Labor Day on the Bay! I love the central sculpture, complete with the USS Midway!All that’s left is to carve in several sponsors beneath the Star of India!Melineige Beauregard finished the Ninjago sculpture. Now she’s putting the finishing touches on the MTS sculpture!And here’s the super cool LEGO Ninjago Movie sand sculpture–all done!
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Putting sand into wooden forms, preparing to make sand sculptures that will welcome visitors to the Broadway Pier!
Look what I spotted during my walk along the Embarcadero after work today! Preparations are underway for the big 2017 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge which takes place this coming Labor Day Weekend!
As you can see, sand is being put into large wooden forms at the base of the Broadway Pier. I learned from a friendly guy scooping sand that the competing sculptures will actually be created inside the Broadway Pier’s Port Pavilion! (In past years they were outside, along the south edge of the nearby B Street Pier.)
I also see that this year, outside on the Broadway Pier, there will be all sorts of food, cool “dimensional art” and live music, much like the past events.
Finally, I learned that the three sand sculptures just getting started today will welcome visitors to the Broadway Pier. One sculpture will depict the USS Midway and Star of India. Another has something to do with LEGOs. A third will promote MTS, San Diego’s public transit system.
I’m getting excited! The best sand artists in the world will be here next weekend! I’m going! It will be cool to see their masterpieces!
The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge is coming to San Diego’s Broadway Pier during Labor Day Weekend!Meanwhile, this afternoon during my walk, I saw some folks enjoying the pier, watching two harbor cruise ships coming in from the bay.This friendly guy told me there will be three sand sculptures here at the base of the pier. The competing sand sculptures will actually be created inside the Port Pavilion this year!Quarry sand mixed with water will be compacted, and then carved here into three cool sculptures during the coming week! Stay tuned!
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You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
The end of San Diego’s B Street Pier is lined with amazing sand sculptures created by world masters for the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.
At this moment, the most amazing sand sculptures in the entire world are on display in San Diego on the B Street Pier. They were created by genuine world sand masters–many have won world championships–for the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge’s World Masters Solo Competition. The artists have come in for this big competition from countries all around the planet!
You doubt these are the most fantastic sand sculptures in the world at this very moment? Take a look at some photos! All of these sculptures will be destroyed right after the special event ends. The day after Labor Day, these truly amazing works of art become history!
Rockin’ Bobbin, by Kirk Rademaker, world sand master from Stinson Beach, California.The Rockin’ Bobbin, which resembles a machine with many parts, is a wonderful example of complex sand art.I Want To Fly, by world sand master Katsuhiko Chaen from Japan.A large winged foot carved of sand appears ready to take flight.Armadillo Lizard, by world sand master Susanne Ruseler of the Netherlands.The friendly world-class sand sculptor Susanne Ruseler poses for photos by her fantastic artwork.Alpha Waves, by world sand master Fergus Mulvany of Dublin, Ireland. This sculpture won second place at the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge.Alpha Waves photographed from a different angle. The layered sand art is truly amazing.And another photo from behind.Yell, by world sand master Benjamin Probanza of Mexico City.An angry, melting face yells at a graceful woman made of sand.Another photo of the astonishing sand sculpture Yell.My Inner Self Revealed, by world sand master Melineige Beauregard of Montreal, Canada.Peering through the amazing layered sand sculpture reveals a human form.The tender, small inner self is revealed.The Man Who Wasn’t There, by world sand master Rusty Croft of Carmel, California.This abstract work of sand art makes the viewer think about its potential meaning.A photo of the rear of this surreal sand sculpture reveals an open door.Yesterday upon the stair I met a man who wasn’t there he wasn’t there again today Oh how I wish he’d go away…What Is The Real Face, by world sand master Agnese Rudzite-Kirillova of Latvia.Is this the real face, or a mask worn in public?What is the real face? Where is it?Nostalgia, by world sand master Ilya Filimontsev of Moscow, Russia. This incredible sculpture won first place at the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge!Proof that sand sculptures can sometimes be classified as fine art.Side view of the stunning, award-winning sand sculpture on San Diego’s B Street Pier.Surrender To Diversity, by world sand master Michela Ciappini of Italy.An unusual sand sculpture features a rabbit perched upon an upside-down alligator!Out Of Reach, by world sand master Thomas Koet of Melbourne, Florida.Many hands reach for a very beautiful woman, but she is out of reach.The most amazing sand sculptures in the world can be found in sunny San Diego. That is–until this Labor Day weekend ends!
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A sand sculpture representation of the famous statue Ultimate Surrender and magical animals greet people arriving in the morning for a special festival.
Here are lots of photos from the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge! The Labor Day Weekend event at San Diego’s B Street Pier presents so many genuinely cool sights, I’m dividing my many photographs into two blog posts.
This first batch features a sand sculpture near the entrance to the event, plus one sponsored sculpture. The remaining sculptures you will see here, which are completely amazing, were being finished this morning by local Southern California teams. This particular competition is between Cool California Carvers!
My next post will feature fine art sand sculptures created by the world’s best sand artists that will blow your mind, so stand by!
During the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge, San Diego is transformed into “SAND iego”!Inside the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge on the B Street Pier, food trucks, vendors with art, and some sponsored sand sculptures attract the eye of visitors.This way to the Cool California Carvers, who on Saturday morning are still working on their sand sculptures. We’ll check out the World Masters Solo Competition in my next blog post!Looking down the length of the B Street Pier between the Broadway Pier Port Pavilion and the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal. These artists you see belong to teams representing the Cool California Carvers.Magnify It! That’s the name of this complex three-part sand sculpture, being built by the Sand Squirrels and SD Sand Castles.Peer through the telescope-like eyepiece and you see a peace sign superimposed on planet Earth!These creative people are the I.B. Posse. Their sand sculpture is titled United We Stand. I see they are working from a small model.Talented sand sculptors work on the flaming torch from New York’s Statue of Liberty.Carving the base of Lady Liberty’s torch.Reaching upward together with peaceful aspirations.Team Archisand is creating an unusual sand sculpture called REAL-EYE’z Your Futur.Small people stand together behind a mask-like face made of sand.Many of these fantastic works of sand art really catch the eye! We’ve got some great local teams!This sand sculpture seems to recreate a coral reef. I don’t know its title. I do know Team San Diego San Castles created it!A close-up photo of some marine life living in a coral reef made of carved sand–on a pier!A team called The Sandcastle Man is bringing some Crazy Dreams into reality. Yes, that’s the name of this sand sculpture.We’re All Mad Here! It must be an Alice in Wonderland themed sand sculpture! I see a team member of Archisand.I see Alice, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter!Visitors to the 2016 U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge check out artwork being created by one of the Cool California Carvers teams.And that team is called The Sand Squirrels. The title of this cool art is The Captain’s Tale.That sea-going captain appears to be a pirate who has discovered a treasure chest. Or perhaps it’s a mirage made of beach sand on some deserted island…or on a city pier!
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Getting ready for the 2016 US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Expo at the B Street Pier. A cool sand sculpture will soon appear here to welcome passing Labor Day crowds on the Embarcadero.
Two epic events are coming to San Diego’s Embarcadero this coming Labor Day weekend! The 2016 US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Expo, which will take place near the Cruise Ship Terminal on the B Street Pier, and the 2016 Festival of Sail, which will take place at and around the Maritime Museum of San Diego!
I’ve blogged about both amazing annual events the past couple years. The sand sculptures, created by some of the best sand artists in the entire world, are utterly mind-blowing. The tall ships are a feast not only for the eyes, but for the senses once you step aboard.
I took a slow easy walk along the Embarcadero a short while ago and snapped a few pics of very early preparation for both events. If I feel well enough next weekend, expect to see lots of super cool photos from both epic Labor Day weekend events!
One of several U.S. Navy floating docks has been set in position near the Maritime Museum of San Diego, in preparation for visiting tall ships at the 2016 Festival of Sail.Californian, the official tall ship of California, will participate in the 2016 Festival of Sail this coming Labor Day weekend. Right now she is docked at the Maritime Museum, her home.Gaff-rigged topsail schooner Bill of Rights, based in South Bay’s Chula Vista, will be one of many amazing tall ships participating this year in the Festival of Sail. I spotted it cruising across San Diego Bay today.Visitor to the Maritime Museum of San Diego sits peacefully on a bench near the aft of the 1904 steam yacht Medea. Big crowds will arrive here on Labor Day weekend!The 2016 Festival of Sail takes place Labor Day weekend on the Embarcadero. If you are in San Diego and love historical ships, you must go!
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People enjoying the beach by the Ocean Beach pier are joined by a mythical god and two sunning mermaids!
If you’re in Ocean Beach this week, there’s a good chance you can still enjoy a fantastic sand sculpture created by a talented street artist. Just head down to the base of Newport Avenue!
I don’t know the artist’s name. I did learn that he doesn’t have a website. His buddy was watching over the artwork when I walked past it. He said people should just drop on by and check the sand sculpture out! I thought all that inspired work deserved a nice tip!
Very cool!
The sea wall at the end of Newport Avenue, north of the OB pier, is a good place to see a variety of street performers.Two sand sculpture mermaids created by a talented street artist near the Ocean Beach boardwalk.Neptune is popping up out of the sand at Ocean Beach!
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You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to enjoy!
Cool San Diego Sights! 