Master Duo Sculptors
It takes two to...sand sculpt?
Some say it takes two to make a thing go right...and these artists totally believe it and practice it! These teams of two join forces as a duo to be reckoned with as they tackle the sand together to make their artistic vision come ot life masterfully in the sand.
Chris Guinto & Melineigh Beauregard
"If you ain't first, you're last." This has been the family mantra sine granddaddy Guinto invented fire and Chris continues to carry that torch to this day. Evident in his sculpturesin which millions have made pilgrimages to wittness, words like "Supernatural", "Divine Providence" and "Number one on my bucket list" are often used to describe his sculptures. In a nutshell, as Chuck Norris once said: "Sculpting? I leave that to Chris Guinto". That was true until he met his nemesis, Melineigh Beauregard. It was at that point he truly understood he might not stand at the top of the food chain anymore. Opposites attract, and like fire and water, they've competed for the "King of the Hill" title, pushing each other to the extreme limits of their abilities. Sure enough, they ended up sharing he view on the top of the hill, because what is a Queen without her King? Chris and Mel are now living in Hawaii. Sculpting sand and roaming the world, offering crocodiles management assistance in countries of need. www.bgsandsculptures.com www.thecrocodilefoundation.org
John Gowdy & Matt Deibert
John is an Atlantic City, NJ artist. He sculpts sand, marble and paints for audiences around the world. He attended Stockton University and majored in both Fine Arts and Physics. Both of which have come in very useful in his life as an artist. John is a retired firefighter having served 27 years in the fire department of Atlantic City. He earned the rank of Captain and was in charge of the Special Operations and hazardous materials teams. He previously worked as a beach lifeguard for 7 years in Atlantic City. John has been sculpting sand for more than 35 years. He has a sand sculpture company "Sand Sculptures by John Gowdy & Company". He has worked for clients such as Good Morning America, The Travel Channel, The White House, Martha Stewart and Pope Francis in the Vatican. "I believe you cannot stand still in the arts. You must keep evolving as an artist while experimenting with new ideas and techniques. One medium or technique compliments another. Always press forward with your eyes wide open finding your way own way. This is the life of a true artist." Founded in 2017 by Matthew Deibert, a native of Atlantic City, NJ – the birthplace of professional sand sculpting – Sandcreation is a testament to Matthew’s decades-long dedication to the art of sand sculpting. As a world champion sand sculptor and professional sand artist since 2000, Matthew has been shaping works of art from sand for all types of events. His passion extends beyond the art itself; he thrives on the performance aspect of sand sculpting, engaging audiences in the creation process and entertaining them with his expertise. In addition to his sand sculpting endeavors, Matthew is pursuing a BA in sculpture at Stockton University, building on his previous BA in graphic design from Mercyhurst University. His extensive 25-year career as a retired professional firefighter, with advanced rescue training and a stint as an acting Battalion Chief, brings a unique skill set to the world of sand sculpting. Sandcreation is a family affair, with Matthew’s six children actively involved. Ian, Matthew Jr. and Liam have been carving and competing alongside their father for the past decade. The company has left its artistic imprint around the globe, participating in international competitions and earning accolades, including winning the World Championships and contributing to events like the 60th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. The Sand Wars competition, aired on the Travel Channel, showcased the tenacity and skill of Matthew and his oldest son Ian, culminating in them being crowned victors and pushing the plunger to detonate their own sculpture. It’s a vivid reminder that, in the world of sand sculpting, every creation is temporary, returning to the beach through natural forces or planned demolitions.
Joris Kivits & Seve Beauregard
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Joon Park & Wade Lapp
Joon Park Joon started sand sculping back in 2015 when he was 17 years old. He helped carry buckets of sand and water at a local sand sculpting contest which led to a full time content creation job on social media named JPsandman. He has amassed over 1 million followers over the years. He spends every day filming and posting sand sculpting videos to help improve his technique. With no art background or experience, he had to put in a lot of hard work to catch up to other talented artists. Joon has traveled the world crating sand art for parties/ events for large companies and celebrities. His next path in life is to continue sand sculping in competitions. Wade Lapp Wade Lapp, from Washington State, is a multimedia sculptor known for his mastery of sand, wood, ice and chainsaw carving. His unique style blends mythical creatures with whimsical detail. Humble Beginnings in Pumpkin Carving: Wade's journey into the world of art began with 3D pumpkin carving, sparking his passion for sculpting. This early interest laid the foundation for his artistic career, and he continues to enjoy carving pumpkins every fall during Halloween season. Sand Sculpting Success: Wade started competing in sand sculpting along the Northwest coast in Washington & Oregon, winning multiple team events. He earned invitations to Texas SandFest where he placed as a Semi-Pro 2 years in a row and later won People's Choice in the doubles competition as a Master. Chainsaw Carving Achievements: Wade quickly rose to the pro division in chainsaw carving, winning multiple awards and competing internationally with his intricate designs and powerful storytelling through wood. Ice Sculpting Recognition: At the Fairbanks Alaska Ice Art Championship, Wade placed 2nd in multi-block in 2021 and won People's Choice in 2022, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Exhibitions & Unique Style: His woodwork has been featured at Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens, Oregon with popular attractions like Whispering Woods & the Pumpkin Walk. Wade's mythical, realistic creatures and whimsical details set him apart as a unique artist. From his beginnings in 3D pumpkin carving to mastering multiple sculpting mediums, Wade Lapp continues to inspire audiences and compete at the highest levels of the art world.
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Greg Grady & Abe Waterman
Greg Grady is a New Hampshire native, Marine Corps vet and a self-taught sculptor whose love for the art form has been shaped since childhood. Greg enjoys life with his long-time girlfriend, their son and 2 stepchildren. Greg is a 2nd generation sand sculptor whose journey into art began in his youth, where he spend summers learning from his father on family vacations. His early years spent shaping sand on the beach sparked a lifelong dedication to the craft. Over the years, Greg's natural talent and "Irish Luck" would have him apprenticing under some of the world's top sand sculptors, allowing him to refine his skills and travel across the U.S. and beyond. For more than 15 years, Greg has had the privilege of turning his love for sand into a full-time career, creating intricate and awe-inspiring sculptures for every type of event imaginable. A true believer in the magic of the medium, Greg loves the challenge and the creativity of working with sand and it's transient nature. He feels blessed to be part of this vibrant tribe of sculptors and to contribute to the ever-evolving art form. To follow Greg's travel and creations, visit: Instagram: @ItsJustSand_Sculpture Website: ItsJustSand.com Abe Waterman Originally from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Abe sketched and painted in his very early years, then, more than 20 years ago, began to sculpt. He uses ephemeral materials like snow and sand, and only occasionally creates more permanent works in wood and stone. He has travelled from coast to coast in Canada and the U.S., competing in contests and exhibiting his art. Abe is a naughty but treasured sculptor at SandFest. He has a sarcastic sense of humor that attempts (but fails) to hide his true, generous heart of gold. We absolutely love his work and the sneaky subliminals he tries to get away with. He is a very talented sculptor. Abe would say he is good enough...SandFest says he is Awesome!
Joris Kivits Before I got in contact with carving sand in 2006, I worked as a freelance in several activities: graphic design, art direction for movies and television, photography, making illustrations, wall paintings and designing and technical supporting of presentations at congresses. Nowadays, making sculptures has become my main job. In 2006 I participated at my first project in Lommel, Belgium. The following year I got the chance to do more projects and met more sand-carvers. Through those artists, I got the possibility to take part in a competition in Berlin in 2008. Still amazed by the relatively small amount of time needed to make a sand sculpture and the transience and beauty of the material, I will continue to create my mind and thoughts in sand. Making sand sculptures for me is like a theatre act; you can enjoy it as long as it is there and than the memory and pictures are the only things that remain. If you like my work, follow me on Instagram: @Joris_Kivits Sèveline Beauregard is from Quebec, Canada. She is one of the youngest professional carvers in the world. In 2016, her father and sister, both international carvers, invited her on some snow carving projects. Little by little, she found her place in the professional world. After snow and ice carving at the Ice Hotel of Quebec, the Winterlude of Gatineau, the Carnival of Quebec and more, she got into the sand carving world in 2018. Since then, she has won few prizes and had the opportunity to carve in other countries. She is the owner of a well known carving company in Quebec: Sculpture BeauRegard. She feels right at place, where she can express herself while enjoying life. She often says, "To carve, you have to be here, in the present moment".