Mohegan Sun announced new ten ton sand sculpture installation honoring tribal heritage

Mohegan Sun sand sculptures // Finding Connecticut — Photo via Mohegan Sun

Mohegan Sun has announced the return of its annual summer sand art display, featuring an estimated 10-ton dual-sided sculpture installed inside The Shops at Mohegan Sun. The temporary art piece is scheduled to remain on public exhibition through the late summer season. A digital timelapse video documenting the initial production phase has been made available on the resort’s official Instagram page.

The primary face of the sculpture features the likeness of the late Dr. Gladys Tantaquidgeon, a revered Mohegan Medicine Woman, Native American educator, and co-founder of the Tantaquidgeon Museum. The installation integrates historical tribal symbols and traditional stories to highlight her legacy as a community leader. Mohegan Sun President Jeff Hamilton noted that the piece was commissioned to provide visitors with an educational cultural experience at the center of the property.

The complex structure was manufactured entirely from sand by Professional Sculptors, LLC, a specialized design team featuring artists Abe Waterman and Greg J. Grady. Waterman, a Canadian artist from Prince Edward Island, transitioned to the medium in 2007 and recently won first place at the 2025 Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition. Grady, a New Hampshire native with 15 years of industry experience, is a second-generation sculptor who manages international sand art festivals.

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The two creators have previously collaborated on structural projects, securing back-to-back first-place titles at the Texas SandFest Master Duo competition in 2025 and 2026. Their latest work at the Uncasville resort utilizes a dual-sided configuration to present two distinct themes on a single base. The reverse side of the structure features a detailed roulette wheel carving situated beneath an official marketing banner.

The gaming layout side connects directly with the venue’s long-running Hot Summer Fun seasonal promotional campaign. The annual corporate program coordinates a variety of regional concert events, public festivals, and resort operations. Detailed schedules and visitor information regarding the art display are hosted on the main company website.

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Mohegan Sun announced new ten ton sand sculpture installation honoring tribal heritage