Meet the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculptor Creating Incredible Beach Art
For most beachgoers, building a sandcastle is a childhood memory. But for Wildwood Crest sand sculptor Mike Forino, it’s a passion that has evolved into an incredible art form spanning more than three decades.
If you’ve spent time on the beaches of Wildwood Crest during the summer, chances are you’ve seen one of Forino’s creations.
Meet the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculptor Creating Incredible Beach Art
From detailed beach scenes and cartoon characters to elaborate themed sculptures, his artwork has become a favorite attraction for both locals and vacationers.
What many people don’t realize is just how much work goes into each sculpture.
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We stopped by to see him create a sculpture out of our own logo. You can watch that video at the bottom of this article.
A single creation can take anywhere from four to ten hours to complete. The process starts long before any carving begins. Using wooden forms, five-gallon buckets, and plenty of water, Forino carefully packs and compresses wet sand into large blocks.
Once the sand is tightly compacted, he begins the slow process of carving away material to reveal the final design.
His toolbox is surprisingly diverse. Alongside traditional masonry tools are cake decorating tools, paint brushes, plastic knives, spatulas, popsicle sticks, and even a drinking straw used to gently blow away loose grains of sand while adding fine details.
Forino says his journey into sand sculpting started about 30 years ago while spending time on the beach with his children. His very first attempt was inspired by the giant squid attacking the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Although his wife jokingly thought it looked more like a giant lobster, the experience sparked a hobby that eventually became a tradition.
Today, whenever he’s at the beach, he’s creating something new.
During a recent visit, Forino was putting the finishing touches on a Wildwood-themed sculpture featuring the famous Sightseer Tram Car, the Runaway roller coaster, a seagull stealing a French fry, beach balls, a starfish, and the Wildwood Video Archive logo. Every sculpture begins as a hand-drawn sketch before being transformed into sand.
Despite his talent, Forino remains humble about his work. He admits that realistic human faces are still one of the most difficult things to sculpt and says he’s constantly learning new techniques with every project.
Beyond creating art for beach visitors, he’s also made sculptures for birthdays, anniversaries, baby announcements, and other special occasions. His goal is simple: create something that helps families make lasting memories during their time at the Jersey Shore.
Forino can usually be found working between Trenton and St. Louis Avenues in Wildwood Crest, especially on weekends. Visitors are welcome to stop by, watch the sculpture come to life, and ask questions about his process.
For those inspired to try sand sculpting themselves, his advice is refreshingly simple.
Start with very wet, tightly packed sand. Grab a few household tools, use your imagination, and don’t be afraid to carve. Whether you’re making a turtle, a castle, or something completely original, the most important part is simply having fun.
On a beach known for creating lifelong memories, Mike Forino’s sculptures have become one more reason visitors return to Wildwood Crest year after year.
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