Abram Waterman created a tribute to Stevie Wonder at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge at the Embarcadero. Photo by Chris Stone
Abraham Waterman created a tribute to Stevie Wonder at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge at the Embarcadero. Photo by Chris Stone

Judges at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge named the winners of the competition Sunday, with Abraham Waterman taking first place.

His “If We Don’t Change, the World Will Soon Be Over” sculpture is a salute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recording artist Stevie Wonder. Waterman hails from Prince Edward Island in Canada.

He received the Gerry Kirk Award for his sculpture. Organizers re-named the first-place trophy for the man described as the “founding father” of modern sand sculpting. Kirk died earlier this year.

Melineigi Beauregard, of Quebec, received the second-place prize, along with the Sculptors Choice award, for her  “Why, How, and When.”

Melineige Beauregard works on her sculpture, "Why, How, When?" at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge at the Embarcadero. Photo by Chris Stone
Melineige Beauregard works on her sculpture, “Why, How, When?” at the U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge at the Embarcadero. Photo by Chris Stone

Martijn Rijerse of Holland won third place and the Peoples Choice award for his  “Just Wondering.”

Artists used only water and sand to create their sculptures. They had four days to craft the work with $60,000 in prizes at stake.

Judges evaluated 20 entries, with 12 coming from among the world’s 63 master sand sculptors.

The event continues from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday for those who want to view the sculptures. Up to 200,000 were expected to attend over the holiday weekend.

Martijn Rijerse of Holland competed in the sand sculpting challenge with his wife who did her own art piece. Photo by Chris Stone
Martijn Rijerse of Holland competed in the sand sculpting challenge with his wife, who did her own piece. Photo by Chris Stone

– Staff reports