The Epic Builds of Scotty Dodson

Built in 2023 at Art on the Green in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, this towering sculpture stood nearly 12 feet tall and required 26 yards of sand to complete. Although the weather was ideal, with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, the sand itself presented a challenge, containing numerous pebbles and small sticks that made carving more difficult. It took a little extra time and effort to bring out the fine details, but in the end, the results were well worth it.

A special thank you goes to Anne and Charlie with the Art on the Green Foundation, as well as CDA Paving, whose generous donation of two truckloads of sand made this project possible. Their support helped transform a pile of sand into a memorable work of art.

In this photo, Scotty Dodson is hard at work on a massive sand sculpture at SandFest in Seaside, Oregon, in September 2023. This impressive creation quickly became a fan favorite, showcasing the artistry, imagination, and craftsmanship that define world-class sandcastle building.

Each September, Seaside welcomes a talented field of master sculptors who compete for the festival's most coveted honor—the People's Choice Award. Scotty's sculpture captured the hearts of visitors throughout the five-day event, earning overwhelming admiration from beachgoers and festival attendees alike. Its intricate details, towering presence, and storybook design made it one of the most photographed and talked-about pieces of the festival, ultimately securing the People's Choice Award and leaving a lasting impression on everyone who experienced it.

A true master class in technique, creativity, and endurance, this spectacular sand sculpture was created by Scotty Dodson over seven days during Sandcastle Days on South Padre Island, Texas. The project required nearly 70 hours of carving, averaging 10 hours a day, and used approximately 40 tons of sand.

With its towering size, intricate details, and storybook charm, the sculpture quickly became a favorite among visitors. During the final two days, Scotty was joined by Andy Hancock of SandcastleLessons.com, whose expert rockwork and landscaping added depth and realism to the finished piece.

Held each October at Clayton's Beach Bar, the largest beach bar in Texas, Sandcastle Days attracts some of the world's finest sand sculptors and transforms the beach into a remarkable outdoor gallery of sand art. It's an event every sandcastle enthusiast should experience at least once.

This 14½-foot-tall mega castle was created by Scotty Dodson and family—Jon Dodson, Ben Dodson, and wife Terri—over six days for the 2024 Art on the Green Festival in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Scotty has been building at this beloved event for nearly 30 years, and as the family grew, so did the crew.

For more than a decade, Jon and Ben have played an essential role in bringing these ambitious creations to life, contributing countless hours of hard work, creativity, and craftsmanship. Their efforts have become a vital part of the process behind these large-scale sculptures.

Ranking among the tallest sandcastles ever built at the festival, this impressive creation stood proudly on the North Idaho College campus, where Art on the Green draws thousands of visitors each August to celebrate art, community, and creativity.

For four consecutive years between 2004 and 2008, Thurman Supply of Chehalis, Washington, hired Scotty Dodson to create a large sandcastle for their annual exhibit at the Southwest Washington Fair. Each year, Scotty made the long drive from Idaho in his work van and spent five days transforming tons of sand into a crowd-pleasing sculpture.

Most of the work was done solo, with only occasional help from local kids during the mound-up phase. On some years, his son Ben joined him for the adventure. The work was demanding, the days were long, and the weather was often unpredictable, but it was all part of life as a professional sand sculptor.

For a hardworking sandcastle builder from Idaho, it was honest work, a chance to share his art with thousands of fairgoers, and a way to help keep the dream alive.

andFest Texas 2026, the largest master sand sculpting competition in the United States, brought together some of the finest sand artists from around the world. This photo was taken on the third day of the competition, where every minute counted as sculptors raced to transform massive mounds of sand into works of art.

Scotty Dodson's medieval sandcastle captivated visitors throughout the event, earning the People's Choice Award in the Solo Masters division. With its intricate details, towering architecture, and storybook design, the sculpture amazed festival attendees of all ages. Created over more than 31 hours of carving and built from nearly 18 tons of sand, it stood as one of the festival's most admired and photographed works.

Thousands of visitors watched the castle take shape over the four-day event, many returning to see its progress. Winning the People's Choice Award made the honor especially meaningful, as it was voted on by the people who experienced the sculpture firsthand.