Meet the Sand Sculpture Contestants

Greg Grady Sr. is a renowned sand sculpting organizer and enthusiast with a deep passion for the art of sand sculpture. With over three decades of experience in event planning and sand sculpting competitions, Greg has played a pivotal role in organizing some of the most iconic sand sculpting festivals and exhibitions worldwide. His dedication to promoting the art form has allowed him to bring together artists and fans alike, creating memorable experiences that celebrate creativity and skill. Under Greg’s leadership, sand sculpting events have grown to attract top-tier talent and large audiences, elevating the visibility of the art form on a global scale.

Thrilled to be part of Hamptons’ journey and watching it grow from 25 cents to 25 years, Greg is known for his meticulous attention to detail, innovative event strategies, and commitment to sustainability. He works tirelessly to ensure each competition is not only a showcase of artistic excellence but also an environmentally responsible event. Beyond his organizational expertise, Greg is a passionate advocate for the sand sculpting community and continues to inspire both veteran and emerging artists.

For more information on sponsorship or creating your own event email: [email protected].

Born into a legacy built in the sand, Greg “G2” Grady is a second-generation sculptor, Marine Corps veteran, and one of the driving forces behind today’s sand sculpting scene. What began on the beaches of Cape Cod has evolved into a 20-year career creating massive, gravity-defying works from local shores to national stages.

Now co-leading the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic—founded by his family over 26 years ago—he continues to grow the event while bringing together artists and fans to celebrate this uniquely powerful art form.

When he’s not transforming grains of sand, he’s building something even greater at home—spending time with his longtime girlfriend, their son, and his two stepchildren. The legacy continues, with a third generation already rising through the ranks.

For G2, it’s simple: make something unforgettable… even if it won’t last.

@ItsJustSand_Sculpture | ItsJustSand.com

Melineige Beauregard, a world-renowned sand sculptor from Quebec, Canada, now residing in Summerland Key, FL. Known for her intricate designs and spiritual connection to her craft Mel has been doing sand sculpting for the past 25 years, has won over 70 awards which include a streak of 1st Place awards here in Hampton! She has appeared in a variety of TV shows and traveled around the globe doing so. You can see her work at bgsandsculptures.com. Co-founder of TheCrocodileFoundation.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to making crocodiles awesome again and also the owner of SaurusandStrata.com, a commercial paleontology company that hunts dinosaur fossils, Mel truly lives life to the fullest!

Abe Waterman was once from Prince Edward Island, Canada, but now wanders aimlessly, peering in at the absurdities of life, of which there are many, sand sculpture being a fine example. He says he has been producing artwork since he was “old enough to hold crayons and use his diapers as a fresh canvas.”  Growing up surrounded by art, Abe transitioned from sketching and painting to working with temporary materials like snow, sand, and ice. His sculpting journey began in the early 2000s with snow sculptures, and by 2007, he was invited to a sand sculpting exhibition, sparking his passion for the craft. Since then, Abe has made sand sculpture his career, competing in numerous contests across Canada and beyond. Known for his unique style and technical skill, he has earned several prestigious awards. Abe continues to push the boundaries of sand sculpting while exploring new mediums and unconventional ideas. Always a favorite here in Hampton, we look forward to him keeping us on our toes in wonder of what he has up his sleeve for this year.

Karlis Ile, a professional sculptor from Latvia since 1995, masterfully works with materials such as bronze, steel, granite, wood, and more recently, ice, snow, and sand. He is drawn to these natural elements, believing that their primal forces, combined with the ephemeral nature of his creations, generate a unique energy. A graduate of the Art Academy of Latvia with a master’s degree in art humanities, Karlis has honed his skills in figural sculpture. Throughout his illustrious career, he has earned numerous gold medals at international festivals across countries including Russia, Switzerland, Finland, China, Japan, Lithuania, the USA, Canada, Germany, and Latvia. In 2024, Karlis secured fourth place at his visit to Sand Sculpting Classic with his piece titled “Open Your Mind and Awaken Your Inner Child”, and we are thrilled to welcome him back.

Karen was introduced to sand sculpture while working in a pottery studio in 1994 and immediately became addicted. 32 years later, the love affair continues!  In 1998, she entered her first international sand sculpting competition. By 2001, she was working full time as a freelance sand sculptor. She specializes in fantasy and whimsical themes but loves to sculpt everything. Her work takes her around the world, collaborating with sand sculpture companies and friends in 14 countries and counting…. To date, Karen has competed in over 170 Masters Level International sand sculpture competitions and won many titles, including 5 World Championship titles and 31 First Place Titles. In addition to her busy competition schedule, Karen organizes many sand sculpting events in Canada. The Canadian National Exhibition, the Pan Am Games and Parks New Brunswick are a few clients. She was also the lead consultant and one of the judges on all 4 seasons of the hit CBC series “Race Against The Tide” from 2021 to 2024. This will be Karen’s 23rd time participating in the Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic, she is very honored to be a long-term member of the “Grady Bunch”! for more go to www.sandqube.com

New to Hampton Beach this year!

Agnese is an internationally acclaimed sculptor whose work spans continents and materials, blending technical mastery with expressive storytelling. She earned her Master’s degree in Sculpture from the Art Academy of Latvia in 2007, laying the foundation for a dynamic and evolving artistic career.

Rudzite has presented her work in solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows, symposiums, festivals, and competitions worldwide. Her sculptures have been exhibited across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States, with appearances in countries including Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Kuwait, and Cabo Verde.

Working across an impressive range of materials—welded metal, fiberglass, concrete, wood, bronze, aluminum, stone, and mixed media—Rudzite is especially known for her recent focus on ephemeral forms such as ice, snow, sand, and fire. These transient materials allow her to create large-scale, immersive works while engaging audiences around the world through both sculpture and performance.

A central theme in Rudzite’s work is the female figure, explored through emotional depth, environmental interaction, and reinterpretations of cultural symbolism. Inspired by nature, she weaves together realistic and abstract forms to create a visual language that is both powerful and poetic.

Ilya, a renowned sand sculptor from Moscow, Russia, began his career as a jeweler and goldsmith before discovering his passion for sculpture through ice sculpting. This new path led him to leave his jewelry career behind and pursue sculpture full-time. Ilya further honed his skills at the prestigious Moscow State Academic Art Institute of Surikov. Since 2005, he has been a leading figure in the sand sculpture world, participating in over 200 international festivals. His intricate designs have earned him recognition at top-tier events globally. A standout moment in his career was in 2018 when he helped create a “Nativity Scene” for the Pope at the Vatican. Today, Ilya continues to push the boundaries of his craft, inspiring audiences and fellow artists at festivals worldwide. 

Justin is a self-taught sculptor who turned professional in 1991 after being laid off from his engineering job. He now works in 8 mediums: ice, snow (for ski areas), clay (for ceramics and bronzes), wax (for jewelry), stone, foam, wood, and sand. His sand sculpting has taken him to locations including Oman, Kuwait, Taiwan, England, and across the US and Canada. Justin has also created large-scale tree carvings for Storyland in NH and private commissions. Today, he focuses primarily on sand sculpting and wood carvings, including architectural elements, custom clock cases, gun stocks, and figurative sculptures. He’s open to any commission request and is an active member of the New England Wood Carvers and New England Sculptors Association. Justin also teaches wood carving in Groveland. For more, visit www.ElwinDesigns.com.

Carl is the only competitor who has been invited and competed in all 26 years and for that we applaud you!  Carl says, ”For most of my life I’ve pursued that narrow line between public acceptance and pure expression, all the while adhering to the whims of a delicately balanced, often temperamental material and its physical boundaries. I strive to illustrate the profound changes, moments, and efforts of my own personal narrative, in a fashion that thinly veneers a true translation, while maintaining a familiarity to my audience. For me, the moment of its realization, combined with the raw, arduous nature of the art form itself, and the intimate connection with the vicarious viewer, redeems my connection to the creative spirit that underpins the definition of fine art.”  artcleveland.com

Born in 1979 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Dmitry graduated in 2004 with a Master’s degree in Monumental Arts from the St. Petersburg State Academy of Industrial Art and Design. Initially focused on traditional sculpture for museums and public spaces, his path shifted when he replaced a colleague at a sand sculpture competition in St. Petersburg in 2004. Instantly captivated by the malleable, temporary nature of sand, he made it his main medium. The play of light and shadow, combined with the endless creative possibilities, inspired him to continue exploring sand as an art form. Since then, Dmitry has participated in international festivals in Japan, Russia, Canada, the USA, Kuwait, Belgium, and more. In addition to sand, he also works with ice, bronze, and wood, constantly seeking new challenges in his craft.

New to Hampton Beach this year!

Part of the first true digital-native generation, Joon Park—better known as “JP” or the “Japanese Sandman”—has carved out a unique path into the world of sand sculpting through the power of social media. Growing up alongside the rise of online platforms, JP turned his passion into a global stage, using his channels to showcase his craft and connect with over 1 million followers.

JP’s journey began in 2015 at just 17 years old, not as a sculptor, but carrying buckets of sand and water at a local competition. What started as helping hands quickly evolved into a full-time creative pursuit under his brand, JPsandman. With no formal art background, JP built his skills from the ground up—dedicating countless hours to filming, posting, and refining his technique day by day.

Now an internationally recognized sand artist, JP has traveled the world creating custom sand sculptures for major brands, high-profile events, and celebrities. Blending hustle, creativity, and a digital-first mindset, he represents the next generation of sculptors pushing the art form forward.

As he continues to grow his presence both online and in competition, JP’s journey is just getting started.

Be sure to stop by and say hello to Darlene for a quick lesson, tips, and tricks, or just a few pointers for your next beach creation. With over 20 years of experience in helping the public understand the basics of sand sculpture in Hampton, Darlene loves sharing her expertise with groups and families, showing them how much fun playing in the sand can be. When she’s not at the beach or spending time with her family, Darlene enjoys painting, often putting a brush on canvas for her next creative project. Contact Darlene at [email protected].