Part performance art and part engineering, sand sculpture has become amazingly sophisticated as artists explore the boundaries of their skill with sand as a medium. Within a very short time, a sculptor can create an awesome, thought-provoking experience that will completely vanish after a few weeks. The photographs are all that’s left. Barbara Purchia and E. Ashley Rooney take you on a round-the-world tour of sandscapes showcasing a dazzling array of sculptural figures, forms, and styles. Behind-the-scenes interviews with the sand masters reveal what motivates them and how they approach their art. Todd Vander Pluym, the world's premier sand artist and president of Sand Sculptors International (SSI), shares a contemporary history of sand sculpture, and renowned international sculptor Kirk Rademaker describes how he built a new life around this ephemeral medium.The images of these art pieces will have you wanting to stick your toes in the sand![AuthorName]By E. Ashley Rooney and Barbara Purchia[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Barbara Purchia and E. Ashley Rooney wrote Fairy Homes and Gardens (2014) and Glass Art: 112 Contemporary Artists (2016). Ashley is the author of many books for Schiffer Publishing, specializing in contemporary art and architecture.  Barbara is working on several stained glass art commissions.

Barbara Purchia and E. Ashley Rooney's previous books include Contemporary Sand Sculpture. Rooney specializes in contemporary art and architecture and has authored more than 50 books. Purchia is a stained glass artist. As coauthors, they offer complementary experiences and perspectives.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]250+ color images[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle][/SubTitle][ColorPattern]250+ color images[/ColorPattern]