2026 European Championship
Experience the European Sand Sculpture Championship in Garderen
From May 28 through June 4, 2026, Garderen will host the first-ever European Sand Sculpture Championship. Five top artists from Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, France, and Spain will take on the challenge, each creating their own work based on the theme “The Roman Empire.” Using 20 tons of sand and water, they will build impressive works of art full of detail, technique, and imagination in just a few days. Visitors can follow the entire process up close and admire the finished sculptures during their visit to the exhibition.
The competition venue is located in De Beeldentuin and admission is free. You can walk there and follow the entire creative process up close: from the first cuts to the moment when the final details are refined. As the judging approaches, the tension mounts: which work will stand out and who will walk away with the title?
The big reveal is on Thursday, June 4, at 2:00 p.m., when the awards ceremony will take place. Come watch the ceremony and find out who will be crowned European champion. The sculptures will be judged by a professional jury and a children’s jury, and there will also be an audience award. Cast your vote on-site and give your favorite sculpture that extra boost toward the title.
5 participants, 1 winner!
Fergus Mulvani - Ireland
A sand sculptor with an international career that began in 1993 in Scheveningen, while he was studying sculpture in Dublin. Since then, he has kept pace with the global evolution of sand sculpture and has worked on projects and competitions in Europe, Australia, Asia, and North America. Over the years, he has won various awards, including multiple first and second prizes and four Sculptors’ Choice Awards at the Moscow International Sand Championships. He has also won first prizes in Toronto and at the European Championship in Zandvoort, where he has been the winner on multiple occasions. His work is characterized by international experience, consistently top rankings, and a strong artistic signature within the field.
Benoit Dutherage - France
Benoit is a sculptor and specialist in ephemeral art, with an international practice focused on sand, snow, and temporary sculptures. In recent years, he has worked on a wide range of projects for museums, exhibitions, scenography, and public events in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Africa. In addition, he has been active with Atelier ADESS and has completed commissions for cultural venues, festivals, fashion projects, and international competitions. His work has been recognized with multiple awards, including first prizes in Texas and podium finishes in Virginia Beach and South Padre. Benoit distinguishes himself through his technical craftsmanship, extensive experience with materials, and a visual language that combines artistic quality with audience engagement.
Jeroen Advocaat - Netherlands
Sand sculptor and illustrator with a broad artistic practice spanning two- and three-dimensional work. In 1999, he graduated from the Minerva Academy of Fine Arts in Groningen as an illustrator, after which he founded his company, Centipede, in 2002 to professionally market his illustrations and sculptures. Since then, he has developed into a versatile creator with work in the fields of sand, ice, and other sculptural forms, alongside a variety of illustrative disciplines. His strength lies in the combination of imagination, craftsmanship, and spatial insight, allowing him to display a recognizable and versatile signature in both independent work and public-oriented projects.
Sergi Ramirez - Spain
Sculptor and visual artist with over 25 years of international experience. He is the founder of the Arenas Posibles collective and specializes in ephemeral art, particularly sand and salt sculptures, as well as painting and contemporary installations. Since the late 1990s, he has participated in major festivals in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, and has realized projects for cultural institutions, public spaces, and international brands such as Disney, Pixar, Nike, and Google. His work has been honored with multiple international awards and stands out for its technical mastery, artistic depth, and strong connection to place and audience.
Stachu Nowodworski - Poland
Sculptor from Poland, born on July 1, 1987, in Świecie. In 2011, he graduated from the Sculpture Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk, where he has lived and worked ever since. In addition to his work as an artist, he crafts knives and tools and has a deep passion for drums and percussion. He specializes in sculptures made of sand, snow, and ice and stands out for his artisanal precision, feel for materials, and broad artistic interests.