Is it just sand?

Yes.

Is the sand mixed with an adhesive?

No. In our Florida Keys Sandboxes we use the same sand over and over again. If there was concrete or other additives, this would be impossible.

How do you get them so high?

There are two types of sand sculptures: hard packed and soft packed. Those typically seen on a beach are usually soft packed. Hard packed sculptures require forms of some kind. Forms can vary from anything from a wooden box to pool siding to an upside down trash can. Putting the sand in a locked space and ‘compacting’ with vibration and added water insures that the sand will ultimately be as hard as possible. Stacking forms on top of other forms allow us to take these sculptures vertical...if it’s done right. 

Is it a special sand?

Any sand will work, but sand that is not round in shape works better. For instance, some beach sand has been exposed to the elements for a long period of time, rolled by the waves and blown by the wind, thus rounding each grain of sand. Compacting this type of sand can result in each grain ‘sliding’ off each other in vertical sculptures creating collapses, which is comparable to stacking marbles on top each other.

Quarry or river sand is not as exposed, so each grain of sand has rougher edges and when compacted will lock together much better than round grains.

What happens when it rains?

A light rain does not destroy the sculptures. It may cause some loss of fine detail, which can be fixed. Obviously the harder the rain, the more to fix. A torrential downpour can create damage, but eroding a 20 ton sand sculpture takes time, even in a Florida Keys rain storm.

What do you spray on it?

After the sculpture is completely carved, we put a ‘sunscreen’ on it. The most damage in any sand sculpture is created by sun and wind. The sun dries out the first layers of sand and the wind carries it away, which in time, will whittle down any sand sculpture. So we help protect each carving by spraying a mix of 90% water to 10% water soluble school glue on the surface of the sculpture. This adds no structural strength. Think of it like a sealant, similar to that of an m&m shell coating. It will add months of life, sometimes years, to the carving and the more you spray the longer she’ll last.

How long does it take?

Each carving varies depending on size and detail, though typically anywhere from a few hours to a week, start to finish.