Sand Art
Sean Corcoran creates massive sand art drawings with a garden rake on beaches around Ireland and the UK!
Aerial photographs of the artworks are captured using a drone and are available as high quality prints.
A range of these images can be ordered on our ‘Sand Art Prints’ page in a variety of sizes with shipping to Ireland, UK and Europe.
How is Sand Art made?
Many of Sean’s artworks are solo and he is the only person to witness and photograph them. He works all year round in often remote and hard to reach locations. The majority of his work is freehand without the use of string or measuring tapes. Many of his drawings are impromptu as he responds to each individual location.
This is environmental art. Sean chooses the best low tides each month and often only has two or three hours to complete a drawing before the tide returns.
The video above shows the creation of a 300 foot wide sacred symbol called a Sri Yantra. This was part of an international challenge. In order to represent the symbol as accurately as possible Sean’s team in this case included two engineers using GPS guided rovers and 16 satellites with a tolerance of 5mm!
A message from Sean Corcoran
There’s a strange sense of time standing still; self-conscious worldly woes are left behind, as if there is no past or future, just the present. Apart of course for the inevitable tides approach.
I love seeing the reaction from passers-by who might not be exposed to art too often. I have to admit I like to be an anonymous spectator when the artwork is complete and have conversations with anyone who comes along. The conversation is never as honest if they know I’ve made it and some of the comments are priceless!
Collaborative art has become a very important part of my art and life. I love the challenge of trying to connect with a large group of people through art. I find creating beach art with groups to be very rewarding.
Participants often say that the experience is uplifting and therapeutic on many different levels. The fact that the tide will wash it all away creates a poignant atmosphere yet the unity of purpose makes it a joyous occasion. People can connect with themselves and others in a very simple way.
It’s good exercise too, running around in the fresh sea air whatever the weather! Perhaps you’d like to join me on one of our group workshops or community events.
Most of my beach art is created on the Copper Coast but if you’d like to commission me I’d be happy to take on a challenge at your local beach.
Thank you for viewing our sand art page.
BEACH ART ARCHIVE…
We have created a photo record of all the beach art that we’ve created down through the years. You’ll see everything from massive solo drawings in the sand by Sean Corcoran to group events with families, schools, youth groups and work colleagues.
We’ve catalogued over 500 different artworks and we’ve included a single photo of each one in the archive that can be viewed in a photo album on our Facebook page HERE.
Supersonic Sand is an exciting project that combines Electronic Music with Sand Art! Click the image if you’d like to see all of the currently released films and interviews. Supersonic Sand is being co-produced by Rebecca Cappuccini of Viking Promotions and Sean Corcoran of The Art Hand.
Get a print made of this tribute to Sinead O’Connor with proceeds to Amnesty International…https://thearthand.com/nothing-compares-to-you/
GIVEAWAY…we are offering two free places at this Saturday’s ‘Canvas + Coffee + Cake’ workshop. All you have to do is TAG a friend in the comments below that might like to join you. Tag as many friends as you like!
The giveaway ends on Friday at 5 PM and the winner will be announced at 6 PM on Friday. Just for clarity the winner can bring a friend of their choice to the workshop this Saturday. It can only be used for this Saturday and cannot be transferred to other workshops.
If you’re not lucky enough to win the prize, this workshop runs for three Saturdays in a row! Full details of the ’Canvas + Coffee + Cake’ workshop are in the comments below.
Here's a link to the full details of the workshop... tinyurl.com/38jsa8yj
Caitriona Kiely
Margaret Casey
Maureen O’Shea ( tagged by sharing / copied this nomination) we could both do with a day out and pamper our selves. 🩷🩷🩷🩷
Jackie Fehilly we would love this
Mike Breen be nice birthday celebration ! 🥳🎂
Kathy KC Oakes
Im loving the colour pattern on your apron…that could be a merch opportunity, keep up the inspiring work
Raych Sheehan Carey bit of art therapy?
Tanya Smith 😀
Patsy Meade sounds like our cuppa tea
Jade Jade Brown and Linda Hoary
Joanne McCusker this would be a fab way to spend a Saturday
Ger Kennedy 🤞
Workshop GIVEAWAY... Tag your friend and win two places on the Canvas + Coffee + Cake workshop with Miranda this Saturday from 12pm to 2.30pm. Non transferable (can only be used this Saturday) 🙃 Get tagging 😀
GIVEAWAY closes on Friday at 5pm
Winner will be announced by 6pm😃
Here's a link to the full details of the workshop... tinyurl.com/38jsa8yj
We missed out last time. Here's hoping! Damien Ó Foghlú
Kathleen Meehan
Ruth Brophy perfect for a birthday weekend treat
Mary Doyle great prize🎨🎉
Moll Coughlan wouldn't this be fab!!
Beautiful keep up the amazing work you are doing
Danny O'Sull 🎨 Lovely prize 😊
Nora Dineen Helen Patmore Margaret Power Treasa Milmoe The Art Hand
Sarah Kirby 🎨👩🎨
Margaret Casey
James Moore Aine Coffey
Paula de Barra
Catherine Whelan Vera Nolan Anne Keane
Jade Brown and Linda Hoary
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.Temporary Treasure! Now available nationwide! Here’s a compilation of some of our temporary artworks using natural, recycled, surplus and sentimental items donated by participants. Down through the years we’ve done these for youth groups, women’s groups, schools, social care workers, childcare workers, festivals, cultural events and libraries.
So what is ‘Temporary Treasure’? It’s a unique group workshop, similar to a mosaic workshop except nothing is glued together! Participants bring along their own ‘treasure’ and together we assemble an overall design on a large 8 foot table. It’s temporary though so part of the workshop involves disassembling everything! Our process has evolved with many of the early ones being made on the floor using bulkier natural materials. More recently we’ve developed a special table that allows us to bring these temporary workshops on tour! This table now makes it more convenient for people of all abilities.
Environmental Awareness; We've accumulated so much stuff in our homes and need to declutter! Sometimes we can find it difficult to part with even the most basic surplus items! Our kitchen drawers are full to the brim with items we will never use. There’s a daunting collection of unwanted oddities under our beds and in our attics! This is environmental art and it helps participants to consider; ‘What can we do with all this stuff? Why do we have so much of it in the first place? From our experience conversations, increased awareness and time to reflect in a thoughtful environment can lead to positive and sustainable behaviour change.
The Treasury! All the donated items stay in the ever growing collection so there’s already a huge variety of materials that travels on to the next event to be used again. The materials are laid out in advance on smaller tables around the edge. People really love to explore these tactile materials. It’s here that you can really see the trash transform into treasure! Our ‘Treasury’ currently includes buttons, beads, marbles, dice, monopoly houses, broken watches, costume jewelry, old keys, cutlery, surplus sunglasses, stones and shells.
Letting go! When the agreed design is completed, we take it all apart! The disassembly is part of the process. There’s a deep poignancy in knowing it won’t last. In a world obsessed with permanence and possession, these temporary artworks remind us that nothing lasts forever — and that’s okay. Once participants overcome the amazement at the gathered materials they relax into the creative process. Repeatedly laying individual items on the table is very simple and mindful. All that remains are the photographs and the memories of the shared experience. We usually create a time lapse from overhead which is a great way to see the action unfold.
Bookings; Our next ‘Temporary Treasure’ takes place during #ScienceWeek. That one is fully booked but please stay tuned for other opportunities. If a ‘Temporary Treasure’ might suit your organization, school or event please get in touch. You can bring your group to our studio here at The Art Hand or we can travel to any venue in Ireland. Most of these workshops involve several visits to fully engage participants, but we can also facilitate one-off workshops. The artwork is often abstract but sometime a special theme can be chosen. So gather your damaged diamonds and preloved pendants and let’s bring them back to life!
Music in this video is courtesy of Danny Groenland with a track called We Can (feat. Lottie and Kitty) from his album Burning Rome. #dannygroenlandmusic
Update - Fully Booked - Join the cancelation list. Make Art, Talk Science!
We are delighted to announce that we have been commissioned by Calmast at the South East Technological University to develop a new three hour adult workshop at The Art Hand as part of #ScienceWeek Research Ireland.
This first of a kind workshop will involve brainstorming ideas around environmental science and how the arts and creativity can be used to highlight and improve our environment and sustainability. We will also chat about ways that the arts can be integrated into the current STEM education initiative (science, technology, engineering and maths). Ireland is currently broadening the definition of STEM to become STEAM (with the addition of the letter A for Arts).
Well, if that all sounds a bit too academic for you, fear not, as we will be creating a ‘Temporary Mosaic’ while we chat! We are looking for 15 adults to take part in this experimental workshop. You don't have to be an expert, just someone with a curious mind, willing to get involved in a conversation, while making an amazing piece of temporary art. Some of our best ideas have come about while making art! So, who knows, maybe our conversations will lead to some concrete solutions!
When? Sunday November 16th 2025 from 12 noon until 3pm
Who? There is a maximum of 15 places available for this workshop. All participants must be over the age of 18.
Where? The Art Hand gallery and studio, Bunmahon, Co. Waterford X42 PY92
What is the cost? It’s totally FREE!
How to book? Just send a WhatsApp a message with your name to Sean Corcoran on 087 2524657. You will be added to a private WhatsApp group with all the participants.
What to bring? We will be adding recycled and surplus items to the temporary mosaic so please bring along some buttons, stones, shells, marbles, beads, costume jewellery or broken watches!
Happy Halloween 🎃 Sun's up ☀️ YaY ☀️ Just a little video about my Canvas+Coffee+Cake workshops 🙃 Still a few places available on the Saturday's the 8th, 15th and 22nd of November 😊 12pm to 2.30pm 🙃 Really excited 😀 Thanks to everyone that has booked so far 💜 Can be booked on link below ⬇️ Send a WhatsApp if you'd like more information 😀
www.eventbrite.ie/e/canvascoffeecake-tickets-1838877665599
Palestine Love. Hundreds of members of the public created this temporary mosaic during a Palestinian Culture Day celebration in Gorey, Co. Wexford, Ireland. This community artwork was facilitated by Sean Corcoran. Members of the public were invited to bring along black, white, red and green items to add to this momentary mosaic.
Sean had the following to say;
“I'm really delighted with how this worked out. Such a beautiful gathering. An amazing community that I was welcomed into with open arms. Met some amazing people. Many of my mosaics are permanent installations, glued together and installed in public places. This, however, is part of a series of temporary mosaics I am making using recycled, surplus and sentimental items donated by members of the public. For me there is a beautiful poignancy to it’s brief but beautiful life span. The tactile nature of the gathered raw materials were mesmerising. There was a huge willingness among participants from all walks of life to assemble the image that I had designed and roughly outlined in advance on my 8 foot table top. Without fanfare it was disassembled in quiet reverence”.
“There's probably several thousand pieces in this artwork if all the little beads and buttons were counted. I like to think that each piece was placed with intent and sentiment. The artwork no longer exists but the photos and videos remain. More importantly the experience will live on in the memories of those that took part or witnessed it. I am currently researching phenomenology where it is shown that memories are not saved in a storage device but are re-experienced and felt and lived through the body and our perception. Memories are part of our consciousness, memories are part of who we are in the here and now. Thank you everyone”.
The event took place in Christ Church Hall and was organised by the amazing team from #IPSCGoreyArklow
Music in this film is courtesy of Trevor Knight. The track is called ‘Molly’s Little Waltz’ from his album ‘Audio Tor Ium’.
#LOVEisALLyouNeed #LOVEis #Compassion #Empathy #Mercy #Life #Peace #peaceonearth #LoveLife #UnconditionalLove #LoveWins #EndlessLove #CelebratingLove #LoveConquersAll #PeaceandLove #FreedomFlotilla #ShareSomeLove #FreePalestine 💚
Beautiful
Temporary Artwork using Natural and Recycled materials with Childcare Workers. This one is from a series of workshops we ran for adult groups called 'Get Creative and Pass It On' a few years ago.