Want to become a professional sand sculptor?

We often get asked how does one become a professional sand sculptor. As with any profession, practice makes perfect. And as with any profession, there are great sand sculptors and not so great sand sculptors. But whatever the talent, there is definitely a demand for them. But how does one start?

Many carvers got started on a beach somewhere, just making the usual mermaid, turtle or whatever and entering an amateur competition of some kind. Amateur comps have sprung up in just about every place that has sand and water, and they offer you and your group a stage to show the public what you can do. Depending on your grit you may even enter into a master level competition and skip the amateur division altogether. You’ll notice I said grit and not talent, as it takes determination to win at this level much more so than talent.

Entering these competition circuits helps to showcase your goods, but it absolutely is not necessary to become a professional sand sculptor. If fact, most sand sculptors running successful businesses have never even sculpted in a competition. Many of them have worked with pre-existing sand companies or large-scale sculpture parks as a summer job. This is where you learn volumes. Afterwards, starting your own sand business is easier than you may think. You don’t need a degree, be in a union, have corporate sponsors or need to be a rocket scientist.

Like anywhere, location is key. You don’t need to live near a beach, but it doesn’t hurt. Many pro sand sculptors live nowhere near a beach as the majority of their sculpting jobs will be everywhere but a beach; malls, festivals, fair grounds, indoor arenas, convention centers…you name it.

But if you do decide to make a move to follow your dream of owning your own sand sculpting business, then move to Florida, the sand sculpting capital of the world. Even though there are only a handful of professional sand sculpture companies located in the sunshine state; there are more sand sculptures created for profit in Florida than anywhere else in the world…no other place comes close.

Good luck!