Check Out This Epic Prize-Winning Piece from the 24th Annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpture Classic

The first prize went to David Ducharme, an international newcomer who said his sculpture came to him in a dream

Max Sullivan/Seacoastonline Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic

The winners of the 24th annual Hampton Beach Sand Sculpting Classic in New Hampshire have been announced — and an international newcomer is taking home the grand prize.

Sculptors had three days to shape their creations, according to ABC affiliate WMUR-TV. This year’s theme was “Sand Wars – May the Beach Be With You.”

David Ducharme, of British Columbia, Canada, was awarded the $6,000 grand prize for his sculpture called “Sophia’s Cradle,” ABC affiliate WCVB-TV reported.

Ducharme said the woman in his sculpture, which has angel-like wings, came to him in a dream “a long time ago."

'The cradle underneath resembles a "space where wisdom gets nurtured," and was inspired by weaving found in nature, Ducharme explained in a video posted on the contest's Facebook page.

In second place was another newcomer, Dmitry Klimenko, and his sculpture called "A Step Beyond,” according to contest organizers.

The sculpture resembles a woman with long, flowing hair walking through what appears to be a chain-linked fence.

Klimenko, of Russia, told organizers his piece is about freedom in footage shared on Facebook and addressed breaking through barriers. He said it is also meant to show how sticky things can get while trying to accomplish such a feat.

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Third place was awarded to Melineige Beauregard and her "Inception” sculpture, which resembles a fetus in a mother’s womb surrounded by blossoming flowers.

"It's about the beginning [of] life," she told organizers in footage shared on Facebook, noting that many of her sculptures follow a similar theme.

Beauregard, of Hawaii, placed first and received the People’s Choice Award in the 2023 competition for her “I am Life” sculpture, which resembled a woman with flowers for hair.

In fourth place was Karlis Ile and his sculpture called "Open Your Mind and Awaken Your Inner Child.”

The Latvian sculptor said the piece was somewhat of a self-portrait after becoming a father in footage shared on Facebook. He told organizers that fatherhood helped him learn to not take life so seriously.

"It's not easy, when you have to take care of the children, and this is a sculpture about that," he explained.

This year’s People’s Choice Award winner was Karen Fralich, whose sculpture titled "ARTIO, The Bear Goddess" also won the Governor's Choice Award.

The Ontario woman told organizers that the piece, which is "near and dear" to her heart, is rooted in northern European and Nordic mythology.

"She is an incredibly fierce mother," Fralich said of the bear depicted in her sculpture. "She protects mother nature, fertility, her people [and] her cubs."

Carl Jara was the final winner of the competition, earning the Sculptor's Choice Award for his piece called “Orphan.”

Jara has been with the contest since its inception 24 years ago, according to contest organizations.

“We thank him for being such a major part of our event!” the organizers said in a Facebook post celebrating Jara’s achievement.

Those who competed but did not place received $1,500 each, according to WCVB-TV.

Read the original article on People.