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| ©Dave Peatfield |
How it Started - How its Grown
It all began in 2000 with twenty-five cents. One quarter. The New Hampshire Quarter to be precise.
Local artist and master sand sculptor Gregory Grady was commissioned by the U.S. Mint to create a larger than life replica of the new tail side edition New Hampshire quarter out of ten tons of sand during the Hampton Beach Children's Festival. At the time, it was just a part if the statewide celebration held for the release of that coin. It was something Hampton Beach had never seen the likes of before!
Fortunately, it was something Hampton Beach would see again. The following year, the first annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpture Competition was held. When 220 tons of imported sand was trucked into the beach with Gregory Grady and his 'bunch' laboring for five days on the sponsor site followed by a three day competition of ten world class masters creating their own unique sculpture, a new era was born and sand sculpture had arrived to the northeast. Over the course of the event nothing but sand, water, and a bit of their own creativity is used to create astonishing works of art out of shapeless heaps of sand. When completed they are sprayed with windscreen (a solution of school glue and water) to protect them from the elements and remain standing for viewing for weeks creating a free museum of master pieces on the beach.
This invitational only event has grown in leaps and bounds making it the largest Masters competition in the Northeast United States. This year Hampton Beach will feature a sponsor site of 150 tons, Ten world class masters vying for $15,000.00 in purse and entry awards, free lessons and will be illuminated at night for viewing and much much more. Hampton has attracted the attention of millions of visitors who came to watch something which is part sculpture part performance art.
It is something you have to see in person to believe.
Because Hampton has great world class sand sculpting and a whole lot more!
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
The event is lighted for nightly viewing thru July 8th.
The
$15,000 in purse and entry awards will be distributed as follows:
1st Prize
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$3,000
2nd Prize
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$2,500
3rd Prize -
$2,000
4th Prize -
$1,500
5th Prize -
$1,000
People Choice -
$500
The non-placing sculptors will each receive a
$500 fee for competing.
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Fifth place went to Michael Lepire of Charlesbourg, Quebec, Canada with the sculpture "Metamorphosis."
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga from South Padre Island, TX made a statement with her piece, "Goin' to the Chapel," which depicted two brides getting married.
©Dave Peatfield
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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Fourth place was the sculpture "Chaos + Order" made by Karen Fralich of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. (Also winning) The "People's Choice" Award was given to Karen Fralich from Charlesbourg, Quebec, for the two-sided sculpture, "Chaos + Order," a representation of Viking mythology.
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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Griffon made by Justin Gordon from Groveland, Massachusetts.
©Dave Peatfield
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Steve Topazio from Tiverton, Rhode Island created a depiction of an Ed Roth inspired hot rod. Roth was a well-known hot-rod artist who exaggerated his work in cartoons.
©Dave Peatfield
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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The "Sculptor's Choice" Award was given to Greg J. Grady for his half underground piece titled, "Stairway to Heaven," which featured a human ascending stairs to a castle in the sky.
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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The first place winner was Carl Jara from Lyndhurst, Ohio with a 12-foot tall sculpture titled "Continuum" wins a cash prize of $3,000 and a trip to the World Championship.
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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Third place went to Chris Guinto from Key West, FL, for his sculpture "The Thing," based on the 80s horror film.
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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Marc Lepire from Charlesborg, Quebec, Canada took second place with the sculpture "Hell's Sandbox"
©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
The sculptures this year ranged from a griffon made by Justin Gordon from Groveland, Massachusetts. Steve Topazio from Tiverton, Rhode Island created a depiction of an Ed Roth inspired hot rod. Roth was a well-known hot-rod artist who exaggerated his work in cartoons. Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga from South Padre Island, TX made a statement with her piece, "Goin' to the Chapel," which depicted two brides getting married.
The sculptors carved over three days, from June 21-23, to complete their own private sculpture using 10 tons of sand. Voting took place and awards were given out on Saturday, June 23 and the Awards Presentation took place at 8 p.m. on the Sea Shell Stage. The band the Continentals provided musical entertainment. Fireworks followed at 9:30 p.m.
The sculptures will remain on display through July 8th, and will be lit for night viewing. For Live Cam viewing of the beach go to:
hamptonbeach.org
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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| ©Dave Peatfield |
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