Contestants

• Greg Grady – Hampton, New Hampshire – Local Sculptor, Founder and Organizer

  

  We are excited to have this super competitive line up of sculptors returning to Hampton Beach this year for our 19th Annual Sand Sculpting Classic presented by the Hampton Beach Village District. If you thought they fought hard to win before, this year more than ever they will be battling for their spot at our 20th Annuual with a win this year! Good luck to all my fellow sculptors and don’t forget to vote for your favorite on Saturday June 22, 1-3 p.m. Please support this FREE event by thanking all of our sponsors listed below and feel free to contact me with any questions or for information creating your own personal sculpture or event at [email protected].

• Greg J. Grady – New Hampshire

  

  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree… A self-taught artist second generation sand sculptor, veteran of the Marine Corp (Semper Fi). This ephemeral artist works with sand, snow, ice, wood and pumpkins. Greg developed his love for sand sculpture as a young child, creating sculptures with his father and learning from the best the world had to offer. Growing up Greg traveled with his father to professional sand sculpture events for the opportunity to play in some of the biggest and best sand boxes any kid could imagine. Today Greg’s childhood dreams are a reality with a career creating sculptures in sand at events around the globe. Entertaining the masses with his creations since 2009 at promotional events, festivals, and other master level sand sculpture competitions Greg has earned his share of awards and is always striving for excellence whether it’s creating art competitively or a commercial project for a client. For more info contact Greg at [email protected] or www.GregGrady.com.

• Chris Guinto – Florida

  

  “I remember as if it happened yesterday. As I was passing by, Chris was sculpting this divine, perfect piece. I was able to witness that incredible moment in time. It changed my life forever. I knew right then and there that I needed, somehow, to become a professional sand sculptor. There are no words that can genuinely express my sincere gratitude, but thank you Chris, you gave my life meaning again…you’re a true master.” – Abe Waterman. Chris was one of the stars in the widely acclaimed television series ‘Sand Masters’, ‘Sand Wars’ & ‘Sand Blasters’ on the Travel and Discovery Channels and has a humorous side as well!”

• David Andrews – Wisconsin

  

  Placing in the top five for the past six years Dave is due for a win. After skipping out of high school over thirty years ago to compete in the US Snow Sculpting Competition he’s been smitten with sculpture and competitions ever since, and has won his share of awards in everything from chocolate to potatoes. Although rewarding, the day job of restoring artwork, stained glass and murals in historic buildings, leaves little room for creativity, and Hampton is the perfect place for him to let that creativity flow in the form of grains of sand while enjoying a day the beach with his family as well…far better than freezing beards and soggy boots!

• Marc Lepire – Quebec, Canada

  

  Marc is the current Sculptor’s Choice medal winner and he will be working hard to become your favorite here in Hampton. Sculpting in an array of mediums, he has been traveling the world since he was a young boy. He and his son are continuing the family tradition as renowned world class sculptors and are well sought after at such events as the Quebec Winter Carnival and Disney on Ice held in France each year. I am very pleased he keeps Hampton in his radar. Visit their web site at sculpturesmichellepire.com for a more in depth look at the world of the “Worst” and be sure to stop bye to say hello.

• Mélineige Beauregard – Montreal

  

  Some believe sand sculpting is art, some believe it’s a sport. While others, like Melineige, believe it’s a spiritual experience. “When my hands touch the material, when my heart opens to give life, when my head is illuminated by light, I become the co-creator of the universe,” she said. “An artist is one who spiritualizes matter.” She should know. Art is in her blood. Her father is internationally renowned sculptor Guy Beauregard, and like her father, she too has achieved international success. In fact, in 2004 the father-daughter duo teamed to win the World Championship in the doubles category. Since then she has won more than 30 individual awards. In 2013 she was Grand Champion of the first All Woman World Championship of Sand Sculpting in Florida and the World Cup Champion 2014 in the doubles category. “For me, art is a means of communication, a way to transmit the energy of life, to affirm its vastness and its beauty,”. Other material: Snow and Ice since 1998.
  Website: www.sculpturebeauregard.com

• Karen Fralich – Toronto, Canada

  

  Karen has been creating sand sculptures for 25 years. She has a diverse background in multiple forms of sculpture, including clay, stone, snow and polymer. Although she has no formal art training, her passion, curiosity and many incredible mentors lead her to embrace this unusual career. In 1998, she entered her first international sand sculpting contest and by 2001 she was working full time as a free-lance sculptor. To date, Karen has competed in over 120 Masters Level International sand sculpture contests, winning 27 First Place Titles, as well as five World Championship titles. Her work takes her around the world, collaborating with sand sculpture companies in Canada, the USA, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Holland, Spain, England, UAE, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. She is very honored to be a long-term part of the “Grady Bunch”, this will be her 16th time competing! She loves Hampton Beach, the incredible hospitality, food, sand (10 out of 10!) and especially the friendly people make it one of her favorite destinations! www.sandqube.com www.sandqube.com

• Abe Waterman – Prince Edward Island

  

  Abe Waterman would have you believe he is a mild mannered sand sculptor from PEI, Canada. A 38 year old with approximately a dozen years experience in sand, who has done little else with his life besides collect “happy meals” toys, watch “The Golden Girls” reruns, and flatulate almost incessantly. Very little, however, could be further from the truth (except the flatulating.) It has recently been revealed that he is in fact a Canadian spy, and furthermore, one of the leading agents of the Caledonia Liberation Front. The Caledonia Liberation Front, or “Caliber F” as they are colloquially known, has for years been hell bent on destroying society as we know it through nefarious subterfuge, namely spreading good cheer by means of the dispersal of free beer. The casual observer will likely pass Abe by and see no more than a child playing in the sand, but a more perceptive gaze will reveal the telltale signs of Caliber F; self satisfied grins accompanied with easy laughter, a care free demeanor, frequent trips to the potty, perhaps a droopy eyelid, and the smell of brussel sprouts and cabbage.

• Carl D. Jara – Ohio

  

  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’ve strived 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. Carl D. Jara at www.artcleveland.com.

• Justin Gordon – Massachusetts

  

  Justin Gordon is from Groveland, Mass, and has been carving since 1974 and sculpting sand since 1978 during college summers. He started sculpting professionally in 1991 after a lay off from his engineering job. He now sculpts in ice, snow at ski areas, wood, including chainsaw tree carvings for StoryLand, wax for the jewelry industry and bronzes, foam, clay, stone, sand, pumpkins, and chocolate. Sand sculpting has taken Justin to Taiwan, Kuwait, Oman, the Caribbean, BC and Quebec, Canada, and throughout the US. Locally, Justin also does the 50 ton sand sculpture at the Topsfield Fair. He now concentrates mostly on carving custom clock cases, architectural carvings, fine sculptures, and period gun stocks. You can learn more about Justin on his website: www.ElwinDesigns.com.

• Dan Belcher – Missouri

  

  Returning to Hampton after placing 3rd last year, Dan has been creating professional sand sculptures across the continent and around the globe
  since 1992. He is honored to have learned from many pioneers of the art form, and now to get the privilege of collaborating with, and learning from a family of many of the best and most talented sand sculptors from around the World. During this time he has competed in scores of contests and hundreds of professional projects around the world. Dan is also a Landscape Architect with a degree from Kansas State University.

• Morgan Rudluff (Alternate Master) – California

  

  Morgan Rudluff is a bona fide California Girl who has turned her love of art and life into a unique lifestyle and career. Starting her adulthood as a young and free spirit she filled her spare time with all things beach, fun, and sand. When she was given the opportunity to work for a well-known professional sand sculptor, she jumped at the chance. Being the “Yes!” girl that she is, Morgan was able to take her summer sand job and transform it into a full-time career in the arts. By 2011, Morgan was traveling the world, appearing on television shows, giving media interviews, professionally competing, and spreading general joy through art and creativity to people far and wide. In 2018, after 12 years of working professionally in sand sculpture, Morgan’s hands re-purposed themselves to work more on humans and less on sand. She now works as a massage therapist in San Francisco, and spends most of her sculpting hours manipulating the many muscles of the human body. She considers both careers to be in the arts, and enjoys working barefoot at both.

• Darlene Duggan – Massachusetts

  

  So taking a vacation from work and coming to the beach to teach people how to play in the sand while trying to take care of a three year old grandson… takes a special kind of person. Stop by and say hello to Darlene if you happened to miss her these past 18 years at the beach…..Thanks sis. Be sure to check out all her art and life’s passions at www.whatilearnedatthebeach.com.

• Carissa Porcaro – Maine

  

  Recently graduating from Northern Illinois University, Carissa will be returning for her 11th year instructing the young and young at heart in the art of having fun with sand. At home at the beach, on a rugby field or mountain top, she can lift the spirits of almost anyone’s day and would love to say hello and share some of her knowledge of sand and having fun at the beach.