Greg Grady, Local Master Sculpter, Organizer/Sand Consultant
Hampton Beach, NH
One would think getting together a dozen or so people to come to
Hampton Beach for a week in June would be a walk in the park, but
let me tell you it's not! The lives these folks live are so
diverse, I can only compare them to that of rock stars and am
honored that they grace us with their presence year after year. I
want to thank all of the sculptors, our sponsors, volunteers and
you the spectators for making this one of New England's premier
events. May your sand stand and please enjoy the show. Visit
www.GregGrady.com to contact me for your own lesson or creation.
NHSandsculptors@aol.com
Greg Grady
New England
www.GregGrady.com
Growing up, family vacations with my dad was building sand
sculptures at the beach and my brother and I asking all day long
"can we crash it now". I skipped 8th grade graduation to go to
Atlantic City to compete in my first amateur competition, I won!
A few years ago I branched off by myself after learning from the
best which includes most the sculptors here and traveling the US
playing in the sand. Involved with Hampton's event since the
beginning, I am looking forward to competing here. I am seeking a
degree in graphic design. SandandDesign@gmail.com
Meredith Corson
Treasure Island, Florida
www.sandingovations.com
Meredith has been working with sand for the past 20 years. She
was the first woman ever to win a Solo medal at the World
Championships in 1999, and now holds 7 World Champion medals.
Meredith and Dan are competitors on the Travel Channels' "Sand
Blasters", The Extreme Sand Sculpting Competition. In 1996, she
met Dan Doubleday at a competition and they teamed up to become
Sanding Ovations. The company is based out of Treasure Island,
Florida where they reside. Together they travel the world
creating sculptures that are thought provoking and striking in
their elegant simplicity.
Dan Doubleday
Treasure Island, Florida
www.sandingovations.com
Dan was discovered sculpting on a beach in Santa Cruz, CA. His
technique was so advanced that he was invited to his first
masters event just months later. He entered his first World
Championship in '96 where he won the coveted Sculptors Choice
award, being the first North American to ever take that honor. He
now holds 8 World Champion medals and more Sculptors Choice
awards than any other solo sculptor on the international circuit.
Dan constantly pushes the envelope with new ideas and strives for
perfection in human anatomy.
"Sergeant" Art Knapp, "The Sarge"
Massapequa, New York
Military life for Art ended in 1971. "No one has called me
'Sarge' since, but when I came to Hampton Beach, I hear it all
the time and love it. 25 years ago, when my son was 5, I bought
him all the beach sand toys. Well, he never picked them up and I
never put them down. Now, I am competing against some of the
finest carvers in the world. It is one of the most important
things in my life. Even heart surgery in 2003 didn't keep me from
competing here in June 2004. Come see me at the beach, I'm always
looking for fresh material, can't miss me in my Viet Nam Veterans
hat. If I am not having fun, I'm in the wrong place."
Karen Fralich
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
www.sandqube.com
Karen has participated in 60 sand sculpting competitions all over
the world and has won many titles. The high point was at Harrison
Hot Springs, B.C, Canada in 2004. At this event Karen won the
Solo World Championship title as well as the Sculptors Choice
award. She is the only woman to achieve these honors in the
contest's 18 year history. To date she is a 3 time world champion
along with a long list of other awards which include Hampton
Beach and is a well respected sculptor by her peers.
Lucinda (Sandy Feet) Wieranga
South Padre Island, Texas
www.sandyfeet.com
"I work real hard at not having a real job. Had a real job once,
hated it. I do a little of this and a little of that but since I
am not a greedy person, I don't need to do too much of either to
keep the wolves at bay. Was married to another sand sculptor
once. Didn't work out, but we are still good friends. Sometimes I
hang out with this sandguy - you might have seen our work on Sand
Blasters as Team Trowel & Error. But mostly I am a master sand
sculptor. I do not claim to be the best sand sculptor in the
world, not even close. But I am good enough to have been invited
to show off at some pretty cool places. I'm not all totally
humble pie, however. I am a fine sand sculptor teacher. I have
taught more people how to have fun on the beach by building
better sandcastles than anyone else in the world. Feb. 2007, I
opened Sand Castle Academy on beautiful South Padre Island where
folks can stay in a really sweet place and get hands on sand
sculpting instruction."
Michel Lepire
Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada
www.sculpturesMichelLepire.com
Sculpture Michel Lepire Inc. was founded in 1994 by Michel. From
a hobby, the sculpting of snow, ice, sand, fruits and vegetables
finally got the better of Michel Lepire's career in the
restaurant business. In 1998, his passion for sculpting turned
out to be contagious when son Marc joined in the family business.
For Michel and Marc Lepire, this passion takes them all around
the world in various competitions and exhibition fairs.
Traveling, meeting people and receiving awards are incredible
incentives that this father and son team wants to share with
you. No one outgrows amazement!
Marc Lepire
Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada
www.sculpturesMichelLepire.com
"My name is 'The Worst' from Quebec, Canada. I love Hampton
Beach. I have come here for the sand contest every year since
the beginning with my whole family. All my life, I have carved
ice, sand, and wood. I work with my father, Michel Lepire. I come
to Hampton Beach because the organization is great and my family
has a lot of fun. We are expecting another child this year and I
want to win in the 'Worst' way !!!!"
Fred Mallet
Port Aransas, Texas
www.spigeek.com/sand
Competing as a master since 2002, Fred has worked on many
contract jobs and taught many people to have fun on the beach
through carving sand. Sand sculpture is a hobby for Fred, what
could be better than playing on a beach, keeping fit, artistic
release, and the chance of making money. He has competed as a
solo master in 30 competitions, placing in 15. When not playing
in the sand, he does home remodeling, paints watercolors, works
with motors, plays skipper on the 'Obsessive Behavior', compiles
code, and teaches engineers to write programs to support it all.
Carl D. Jara
Lyndhurst, Ohio
www.artcleveland.com
For 16 years, Carl has pushed the envelope in sand sculpture,
staying one step ahead of the competition and his own
expectations. Beginning in 1991 with his mentor and friend Tom
Morrison, Carl developed a unique style and grace in a field
overflowing with talent. Rewarded over three dozen times, he is
the most decorated solo competitor at the World Championships
with 9 medals. His two-person team, Grain Damaged, has twice won
Best Recovery on the Travel Channel's Sand Blasters. He and
teammate Suzanne Altamare are competing together at the 2nd
Tournament of Champions, an elite sand sculpting competition at
the World Championships. Carl also creates exhibits for Cleveland
Museum of Natural History and in his own wood shop.
Attilio "Steve" Topazio
Tiverton , Rhode Island
www.sandtasia.com
Steve grew up on the beaches of Rhode Island as an avid surfer
where he dabbled with sand sculpting. He graduated with a fine
arts degree from URI, focusing on painting and illustration.
While on vacation 6 years ago, Steve entered a sand sculpture
contest at the resort beach and won. He proceeded to find out all
about this art form and discovered there were two Master Sand
Sculptors living in New England. He made contact with Greg Grady
and Justin Gordon and through their teachings of various sand
sculpting techniques and became professional. Steve has a
flourishing business in sand and enters master competitions all
over North America. He loves to compete at Hampton.
Sridhar Dash
Orissa, India
"I have demonstrated my sand art in over 25 festivals in India,
and regularly at Ekamra Hatt, a Handicraft Village in capital of
Orissa. I have 4 years training as a traditional stone sculpture
with a Fine Art Degree in sculpture at Culture University. I have
not participated any sand competition because there is none in
India. The Government and festival organizers hire me to make
sand art. I built the Rushi Modi Sand Sculpture on his 90th Birth
Day celebration."
Darlene Duggan
Essex, Massachusetts
"Ya know having Greg Grady as a brother isn't all that bad. I get to
hang out with some of the coolest people in the world. I work my butt
off all year just like the rest of you folks and look forward to the
break from my real life and play in the sand at Hampton. Don't get me
wrong, it took some time to learn, and now I love sharing it with
everyone, so be sure to get a lesson and you could be here soon too!"
Carissa Porcaro
Sandheaven, Maine
Carissa is the one of newest members of the sand sculpting world and
has a very promising future, not only in sand. Along with her other
activities in drawing, scrap booking, basketball, field hockey and
creating works of art from super sculpty, she finds the time to share
her knowledge each year and promote the art of sand. Watch out
ladies, I think we have a winner.
FREE PROFESSIONAL SAND SCULPTING LESSONS
with Darlene Duggan and Carissa Porcaro
June 19, 20, 21, 1- 4 pm
Limited space. Sign up required the day of lesson,
starting at noon June 19th, on site.
