Weston-super-Mare is one of the few beaches in the world to have sand
suitable for sculpting and every year sculptors from the Netherlands,
Portugal, Ireland and Italy create various masterpieces on the beach.
The artists have participated in sand sculpting events and
competitions around the world in an aim to promote sand sculpting as
an internationally recognised art form.
Many events have to ship sand in from abroad. Most grains of beach
sand have become completely round because of erosion and so you cannot
build steep sculptures as the grains will start to roll. Weston’s sand
however, sticks together and can be easily moulded into shapes.
This year’s theme is the seven continents, and each sculpture is created to represent something typical from that part of the world. Some are more obvious than others, but it is a very worthwhile and interesting exhibition.
