How to Take Classes for Sand Art

Sand sculpture by Todd Vander Pluym.

Sand sculpting has moved from castle molds on the beach into a full-blown art form. Until recently, there was an annual championship of sand sculpting in British Columbia, drawing master sculptors from all over the world.
There is a concentration of sand artists in Texas, particularly on the coast and San Pedro Island, where artists and sand sculpting groups offer sand art lessons on the beach. A strong organization exists in The Netherlands as well, for those who are willing to make a vacation around a sand art class. But for those with less vacation time or looking to practice on a beach nearby, there are always instructional books and DVDs on this fascinating craft.

Things You'll Need

• Sand
• Water
• Sculpting tools

Instructions

1. Take a lesson from Chip Cooper, known as the Sandman, and based in Port Aransas, Texas. He offers lessons from a half-day to longer in sand sculpting whether you're an individual, family or business. He has been a sand sculptor for over 30 years and has won local, regional, and national championships in sand sculpting, and has been a judge in sand sculpture competitions.

   [phone]
   [phone]
   [e-mail]

   Little Joe's Smokehouse
   200 W. Avenue G
   Port Aransas, TX

2. Go to South Padre Island, near the southernmost border of Texas and Mexico, for a sand castle lesson with Andy Hancock, an Australian-born artist and sculptor. He works with up to 10 people at a time, on the beach, for $100 an hour.
   His phone number is [phone], and his email address is: [e-mail].

3. Read up on sand sculpting. Detailed instructions on how master sand sculptors make their pieces is available on the Harrisand website: the world championships of sand sculpting.
   The annual Harrisand Championships in Harrison Village, British Columbia, have been cancelled as of April 2009, but they are campaigning to be reinstated. It has hosted competitions between master sculptors like Larry Nelson, who includes a step-by-step guide to sculpting on his website, and Michel de Kok.

4. Take a class from Sandaholics in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. They are a Dutch company that specializes in sand art and sculpting.
   Postbus 15161
   1001 MD Amsterdam
   The Netherlands
   Tel: [phone]
   Fax: [phone]
   [e-mail]

5. Read "The Art of Sandcastling," by Ted Siebert, published by Romar Books in Seattle, Washington.

6. Watch a DVD on how to make sand art, by Sand Sculptors International. The DVD was made with master sand sculptor, and president of Sand Sculptors International, Todd Vander Pluym.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• DC Sandman--sand sculpting lessons in Port Aransas, TX
• Sand castle lessons with Andy Hancock on South Padre Island, TX
• Harrisand sand sculpting guide
• Larry Nelson--master sand sculptor--guide to sculpting
• Sandaholics Anonymous--sand classes in Amsterdam