Our MASTER SCULPTORS are not just artists; they are alchemists of the beach, transforming mere sand into breathtaking works of art. With each grain, they tell a story, capture an emotion, and freeze a moment in time, only for the elements to reclaim it in the end. From the shores of Fort Myers Beach, witness the pinnacle of sand sculpting as these artists compete for the coveted title at the American Sand Sculpting Championship. Photos and bios are below!

Delayne Corbett – Nelson, British Columbia Canada
Master Sand Sculptor

Delayne Corbett is a multidisciplinary artist and sculptor from Canada, renowned for his breathtaking creations in stone, ice, snow, and sand. With a career spanning over two decades, Delayne has made a name for himself globally, pushing the boundaries of ephemeral art. Delayne’s has also extended his skills into the film industry, where he has contributed to dozens of notable projects, including the 2022 film “Prey” as a member of the art department. His sculptures and art pieces have captivated audiences and inspired fellow artists alike. With a unique blend of creativity, skill, and passion, Delayne continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of art.

Amazin (Walter) McDonald – South Padre Is, Texas
Master Sand Sculptor

I’m Amazin’ Walter, aka Walter McDonald – Grand Pooh-Bah of the Sons of the Beach and I live on South Padre Island, TX. Since I was a kid I’ve been compelled to make stuff. I carve bone and antler, make jewelry, write and play music, perform magic, make ballon sculptures and was a professional photographer. But it’s sand that has taken over my life. I have won prizes in master level sand sculpting competitions for over 40 years including the World Championships and have traveled the world to build sandcastles and conduct workshops in faraway places like China, Japan, Belgium, Holland, Bermuda, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Qatar, Australia, Singapore and all over the United States. I designed a line of sand sculpting tools and have taught thousands of kids of all ages to build sandcastles with my signatures arches made of sand. The immediate and fragile characteristics of sand as an art medium challenges me and feeds my fantasies. I’m honored to share this passion with an international community of “sand gypsy” friends. Why castles? It is traditional and it still excited me to hear a casual observer comment “now that’s a real sandcastle”! Son of the Beach Pledge; I promise to have FUN, help others have FUN, and UNLITTER!

Bruce Waugh – Langley British Columbia, Canada
Master Sand Sculptor

Sculpting sand, snow and pumpkins now for 30 yrs! Bruce has won 1st 2nd and 3rd place finishes in many events over these years… too many to list! Inspired by the last White Rock Sea Festival (B.C. Canada) in 1987 Bruce researched at the library (old fashioned way on microfiche!) the archives of the cable TV show that featured the event. With the “I can do that” attitude he went down to beach with a shovel and a piece of driftwood, the resulting sculpture of a frog made front-page news of the local paper…he was hooked! Bruce, a contractor in Langley B.C. completes beautiful renovations for his clients but always falls back to his “hobby blown out of proportion!

Bruce Peck – St Louis, Missouri
Master Sand Sculptor

Bruce Peck was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. It only took one year of studying architecture to scare him fat, far away from the arts, into a lifelong career as a CPA. That career took him all over the U.S. and Canada and kept the left side of his brain to overload. For almost 30 years, his most artistic endeavor was clipping coupons from the Sunday paper. Then he moved tot he Gulf Coast of Florida. Playing on some of the top ranked beaches in North America turned out to be his path back to his lost love creating art. Bruce spent the next six years developing hi skills through trial and error. ALong the way he has seen many beautiful locations, met a lot of wonderful people, and soaked in the festival atmosphere… he was instantly addicted. Bruce has been competing against the best in the world at the Master level for a couple of years now. He placed second in the inaugural Singing Sands Sand Sculpture Festival in MI City, IN last year. Be sure to wish him luck again this year!

Brett Stocker – Mexico
Master Sand Sculptor

Brett was born in Kenya and now calls Santa Anita, Los Cabos, BCS, Mexico, home. He has been involved in sand sculpting for the last 30 years and his sand carving experience has given him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world and win numerous awards.

Brett and has wife manage a resort in Mexico, and his other hobby is raising organic chickens.

Paul Hoggard – England
Master Sand Sculptor

Paul made his first sand sculpture on Baga beach in India. Since then, he has created thousands of sculptures for events, festivals, and international competitions. Paul is very grateful that the creation of sand sculptures, which is a passion to him, takes him all over the world where he meets all these interesting and beautiful people. Because yes: he likes to talk!

Paul sculpted for and met the Queen of England (in 2000 at the Royal Cornwall Show). His work has been profiled by several TV agencies, and appeared in international newspapers, magazines and books. He has been called ‘the original sand man’, ‘King of the castles’ and ‘a free artist’.

Paul has a striking appearance and has taken up modeling and acting. He has already made appearances in international commercials and is now aiming for a role in a Viking or Highlander movie. He is a natural in front of the camera and a public speaker.

Remy Hoggard – Netherlands
Master Sand Sculptor

Remy has sculpted in international festivals, sand sculpture contests and PR jobs. In 2003 she found her Sandman, Paul Hoggard, since then they have sand sculpted and traveled the world, wherever the sand takes them. This lifestyle suits her well, she is very inquisitive and adventurous, really enjoys going to new places and meeting new people and making new friends. She loves the blue of the sea and the green of plants, she likes to cook with foraged foods and studies the abundance nature provides. 

The human faces Remy creates out of sand are among the best in the world; they seem to be alive. She specializes in perfectly proportioned human figures and is also well known for her use of forced perspective and depth in her sculptures. The last few years she really got into sculpting big life like animals; cats, dogs, apes, lions, elephants, birds. Audiences all over the world have been amazed and fascinated to see these temporary sculptures appear out of the sand. Sand sculpture is an ecologically friendly art form and all sculptures are made with heart and soul. Remy is a passionate artist, come see her create her sand art!

Todd Pangborn – Jamestown, New York
Master Sand Sculptor

Driven by a need and desire to create, Todd turned that need into a mechanical design and Engineering career spanning over 40 years. After the need was satisfied, he turned his attention to the desire. The desire coupled with a restlessness turned into a 17-year long sand sculpting affair. It wasn’t quick and he wasn’t always sure it would flourish but he liked how it made him feel when he accomplished something new, and he saw the expressions on spectators’ faces as they admired his artwork. Those feelings kept the drive alive and pushed him to keep pursuing the dream.

After a brief courtship as an advanced amateur filled with success, learning and building his confidence, he stepped into the world of master sand sculptor in 2014 with the full support of his understanding wife and 2 daughters. Even though he is self-taught, the passion for art and the desire to create keeps pushing him forward. However, Sand sculpting is still just a part time endeavor that gives him a much­ needed break from his typical day as a Mechanical Engineer. Todd is also an award-winning wood carver making wall hanging art as well as full sculptural carvings which are available for purchase. He hopes to expand his wood carving and sand sculpting into retirement activities in the near future.

SEMI PRO SCULPTORS

Lauren Waldo – Floresville, Texas
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

Lauren is from Floresville, Texas and is a 20-year Registered Nurse/Flight Nurse in San Antonio, Texas who started sand sculpting 3 years ago at a simple request from her daughter to make a unicorn and a castle while on vacation at the beach. This sparked an interest and newfound hobby between Lauren and her husband Tyler, which started making sand sculptures on the beach as a hobby.

Tyler Morris – Floresville, Texas
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

Tyler Morris is from Floresville, Texas. A 20-year veteran Paramedic/Flight Paramedic in Kendall County, Texas. Tyler started sand sculpting 3 years ago at a simple request from his daughter to make a unicorn and a castle while on vacation at the beach. This sparked an interest and newfound hobby between Tyler and his wife Lauren, which started making sand sculptures on the beach as a hobby. Tyler and Lauren were prompted by vacationers and locals to compete in Texas Sand Fest.

Marcie Cowles – Louisville, Ohio
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

My art style for sand is typically whimsy and family oriented. I got started by helping my mentor with various projects in Ohio approximately 9 years ago. I embrace learning and then challenging myself to apply it. Being able to see art in my mind and then bring it to life is super exciting!! As an artist, I like that sand sculpting allows me to share my thoughts with others through a unique perspective because folks do not need words to hear each other. I am also passionate about my faith, my family, dogs, and exercise. They are also a few things that inspire my art.

Kathy Nichols- Summers Point, New Jersey
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

Kathy has been playing in the Ocean City, NJ sand for her entire life. She decided to try sand sculpting after attending a workshop at an art educators conference of NJ, taught by Master Sculptor John Gowdy. Since 2018 she has entered as many events as possible as a soloist, duo and team categories. Her success in these events continues to fuel her obsession.  Her favorite thing to sculpt is faces, but she still loves the unique beauty of a good old fashion drip castle.

Scott Tripplett – Grand Rapids, Michigan
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

This will be my 5th year as a Semi-pro sand sculptor after winning the 2019 Amateur Sand Sculpting Solo division in Port Huron Michigan. My sculpting journey began in Illinois in 2003 as a snow sculptor. I have produced over 30 solo and team snow sculptures along the way, including four team sculptures at the US National Snow Sculpting Competition, where we placed twice. In 2017, my family and I moved to Grand Rapids Michigan. Since then, I have been able to try my hand at sand sculpting. I am grateful for the community of artists for taking me under their collective wings and teaching me the delicate art of sand. It is also nice to get out of the cold!

Mark Wilson – Astatula, Florida
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

I’ve lived in Florida for nearly my entire life, except for the two years Uncle Sam thought I should live in Texas. I never really liked the beach. Then, in June 2011, I discovered sand sculpting. Finally! A reason to go to the beach! Lots of sand and water. For a few hours I’m able to set aside everything and focus on carving sand. Each time I pound up, I try to extend my skills. Sometimes I push a little too far but, that’s good, too. In November 2011, I entered the amateur contest during the World Championships at Ft. Myers Beach to gauge my abilities. I was awarded third place in the adult solo division. In 2012 I was honored with an invitation to compete in the advanced amateur Florida State championship. It was a great experience. Since then, I’ve participated in many more contests in Florida, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. I’ve learned from each one. But, more importantly, this is fun.

Brendan Schaffer – Oxford, New Jersey
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

Brendan Schaffer is an accomplished and resourceful artist who has produced in a variety of mediums including paint, mixed media, as well as sand and snow for his award-winning sculptures. Best known for snow sculpting, Brendan was featured on the Travel Channel special, Best in Snow in 2017 after his snow sculpture of a campfire went viral and reached millions of people worldwide. After leaving the hills of northern New Jersey and settling at the beach in Cape May, Brendan has focused on a different (but much easier to come by) medium, sand. Brendan has won contests throughout the east coast of the United States, but the joy of making people smile through his art is definitely the best prize to him. Brendan is currently the Program Leader for the Wildwood Public Schools’ Afterschool Program, inspiring children with eco-art every chance he gets!

Shannon Fishback – Acworth, Georgia
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

I started sculpting in 2012. My first competition was in 2014 at Fort Myers Beach. I have competed in Florida at Fort Myers, Siesta Key, New Smyrna Beach and Clearwater beach, in Michigan City, Indiana, in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and internationally in Canada in Saint John, New Brunswick. Living in Georgia I spend most of my vacations in Florida playing in the sand. I have been teaching High School for 22 years and find sand sculpting a great way to relax and recharge my batteries. I am continuously trying new ideas and pushing the limits of the sand.

Darrell O’Connor – Dewey Beach, Delaware
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. In its place is something you have left behind. Let it be something good.” From Monday to Friday, I am a computer systems analyst working with large corporations that use Enterprise Software from a German Software Company SAP. I live in Wilmington Delaware, but for the past 30+ years I’ve spent summer weekends playing in the sand in Dewey Beach Delaware. After some encouragement from my family and friends, I entered my first contest in the mid SO’s in Rehoboth Beach Delaware and while I didn’t place, from that point on I was hooked. Now, many years and many competitions later, I’ve formed friendships with sand sculptors from all over the country and chatted with countless beachgoers who stop to admire my weekend creations on Dewey Beach. I’m thrilled to be competing in the 2024 American Sand Sculpting Championship.

Bob Lechtenberg – Heartland, Wisconsin
Semi-Pro Sand Sculptor

Bob started competitively ice sculpting in 2005 and progressed to snow sculpting in 2017 and sand sculpting in 2023. In addition to individual ice carving accolades, in that short period of time snow sculpting, I have been part of teams that have won 3 National Championship titles, 3 WI State Championship titles, 2 People’s Choice titles at the World Championships, a 3rd place International finish at Breckenridge, and I co-led a team in the holiday special “Best in Snow” with Kermit the Frog streaming on Disney+. I’m an IT project manager consultant by profession which keeps me at a desk most of the day but gives me the organizational skills to compose the sculpting project plan and assess where the biggest risks are and how to operate most efficiently under the time constraints. Thanks to changes in the recent work culture due to the pandemic, I now have the benefit of working remotely from our lake home which makes it easier to spend time with family.

Join our mailing list HERE.