Weymouth has long been home to an extraordinary tradition of sand sculpting, with artists transforming the sands into breathtaking works of art.
Fred Darrington began his sand sculpting journey in the 1920s and spent 70 years perfecting his craft. His lifelike sculptures ranged from pyramids and sphinxes to The Last Supper and even a Loch Ness Monster.
Another legendary sculptor, Jack Hayward, left his mark on Weymouth’s sands during this time. Active from the 1930s to the 1970s, Jack was known for his impressive architectural sand sculptures, particularly of ecclesiastical buildings.
Fred Darrington’s grandson, Mark Anderson, inherited his passion and talent, continuing the family tradition.
In 2011, Mark co-founded the Sandworld attraction at Lodmoor Country Park alongside his friend and fellow sand artist David Hicks.
Keeping the town’s rich sculpting tradition alive, the family attraction – which opens today for the summer season – showcases original artwork from some of the world’s finest sand artists. Mark also continues to sculpt at his exhibition pod on the beach.
This year’s sand sculpture festival at Sandworld promises an extraordinary line-up featuring prehistoric creatures that lived 83 million years ago, a full-colour Egyptian Prince, beloved children’s characters, and a range of inspiring original artworks. Visitors can also enjoy hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities.
Adding to the excitement, world-renowned sand sculptor Sudarsan Pattnaik from Odisha, India, will be creating a special piece at this year’s festival. For over 30 years, Sudarsan has used his sand artistry to promote culture and social causes, earning international accolades. He has been honoured with one of India’s highest civilian awards by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and continues to inspire new generations of artists.
In recognition of his visit, Sudarsan will receive the Fred Darrington Award for Excellence in Art and Culture in a presentation today.
