Sculptors
Bruce Phillips
San Diego, California
| Bruce has been involved in the art of sand sculpting for over 30 years. He has created sand sculptures at festivals and competitions from Japan to the Netherlands and Canada to Columbia. His sculpting style leans towards the abstract side but enjoys all facets of sculpting in the sand. In addition to sand, Bruce is a fabricator for other artists. He brings their concepts to life from small to very large in a wide variety of materials. Some of these sculptures even seem to fly like the sculpture of the “angel” that is hanging 20 up in the air in the main train station in Zurich, Switzerland. Bruce says he has enjoyed watching sand sculpting evolve into a major performing arts attraction. And performance is what he’s all about. Because some of the other media that he’s involved in are steel, iron, aluminum, fiberglass, glass, rubber, gasoline, and oil…have you.In addition to sand, Bruce is a fabricator for other artists. He brings their concepts to life from small to very large in a wide variety of materials. Some of these sculptures even seem to fly like the sculpture of the “angel” that is hanging 20′ up in the air in the main train station in Zurich, Switzerland. Bruce says he has enjoyed watching sand sculpting evolve into a major performing arts attraction. And performance is what he’s all about. Because some of the other media that he’s involved in are steel, iron, aluminum, fiberglass, glass, rubber, gasoline, and oil…have you guessed…rolling works of art that some people call hot rods and custom cars! |
Karen Fralich
Canada
| Karen has been creating sand sculptures for 28 years! She has no formal art training but always loved sculpting in multiple mediums before she discovered sand. Her passion, curiosity, and many incredible mentors lead her to embrace this unusual career.
In 1998, she entered her first international sand sculpting contest and by 2001 she was working full-time as a free-lance sand sculptor. She specializes in fantasy and whimsical themes, but she loves a challenge! To date, Karen has competed in over 145 Masters Level International sand sculpture contests, winning 28 First Place Titles, as well as 5 World Championship titles. Her work takes her around the world, collaborating with friends, festivals, and companies in Canada, the USA, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Holland, Spain, England, UAE, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. Karen has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys playing any sport. She is also a “mega-nerd”, especially regarding Star Wars! |
Matt Deibert
Atlantic City, New Jersey
| Matthew Deibert was born and raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Living close to the beaches, Matthew spent many days playing in the sand. As a child, Matthew showed an interest in the arts. Living close to the beach, and number 7 of 8 children, family trips to the beach were frequent. The sand was a medium readily available and affordable. Sandcastles, large decorative walls, tunnels, and motes were some of his favorites. This enjoyment transformed into a passion after studying the Art of sand sculpture and discovering the history of sand sculpture and its connection with Atlantic City. At present, Matthew holds a BA from Mercyhurst University with an emphasis in Graphic Design. He is a retired Atlantic City Firefighter Captain, where he met John Gowdy, who was very influential in his sand career.
Matthew has worked with other sculptors, some of the large events are Beach Fest Atlantic City, Super Bowl Tampa Fl., Bloomberg Manhattan, NY, Sun Fun Fest Myrtle Beach, SC, Grand Opening South Carolina Aquarium, Summer Fest Winter Haven, Fl., World Record Attempt Wildwood, NJ, Schenectady NY, The White House Commission on Remembrance “ Sands of Remembrance” 60th Anniversary D-Day, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, Wawa Welcome America in Philadelphia, Atlantic City Beerfest and Downbeach Seafood fest, Margate Beachstock, Somers Point Bayfest, Tropicana Casino and Ocean Casino. |
Deb Barrett-Cutulle
Saugus, Massachusetts
A graduate of the Art Institute of Boston, I feel blessed to make a living doing what I love! I am a full time Artist working as an Illustrator/Muralist and Sand Sculptor. Recently I completed an 8’ X 96’ mural…as well as a 4’X 64’ mural… both of which are located under the Sargent Street Bridge here in Revere! I was introduced to sand in 2005 on Revere Beach and fell in love with it! I first got my feet wet as a Logo Carver and started competing in 2015. Another highlight of my life in the sand is being a part of “Sanding Ovations” Sand Sculpting event every November for the past 7 years. When I’m not creating with my hands you might catch me as a DJ or Hosting Karaoke with Deb & Art’s Entertainment!
Morgan Rudluff
California. USA
| Morgan is a beach-loving born and raised California girl who serendipitously stumbled into sand sculpting in 2007. By 2011, she was traveling full time, appearing on TV shows, giving media interviews, professionally competing, and spreading general joy through art and creativity to people far and wide. Rudluff considers herself to be quite privileged and very lucky to have been able to make a living doing such fun unique work, and still to this day (especially post-pandemic), is grateful for the opportunity to travel and be creative.
In 2018 Rudluff made the complicated choice to put sand sculpting on the back-burner and focus on a new career in the healing arts. She currently works full-time as a massage therapist splitting her time between her private practice in Oakland, CA, and as a massage therapy instructor at the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork. Rudluff considers all her years as a sand sculptor to have been instrumental in how she approaches bodywork: “Both of my careers have been equal parts art, design, science, composition, education, adaptability, attention to detail, creativity, intuition, and absolute love for what I am doing. Plus, I usually get to work barefoot doing both!” When not doing massage or sand sculpting, Morgan spends her time in the Bay Area taking improv classes, working in her garden, and going to see live music. |
Slavian Borecki
Poland
| I am a freelance sculptor with over 26 years of experience. After graduation, I worked at the Sculpture Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Poznan. Since 1996 I have participated in multiple sand, snow, and ice sculpture festivals and competitions all over the world, winning numerous . Moreover, I work with bronze, stone, resin, and ice. My works have been shown in individual and collective exhibitions in many European countries. |
Abe Waterman
Canada
Abe Waterman, from PEI, Canada, has been creating artwork ever since he was old enough to eat crayons; he considered every new diaper a fresh canvas. Though some may still consider Abe’s output rather colorful, and he may still enjoy a Crayola from time to time, he now works mostly on ephemeral mediums, such as sand and snow.