For the second summer in a row, a unique sand sculpture installation designed exclusively for Mohegan Sun in honor of Mohegan culture and heritage is on display in the center of The Shops at Mohegan Sun. Guests can experience the piece through late summer, and to view a timelapse video of the sculpture being designed, visit Mohegan Sun’s Instagram page.
A Tribute to Mohegan Heritage and Dr. Gladys Tantaquidgeon
“Enlisting renowned artists Abe Waterman and Greg J. Grady to again craft such an impressive, dual-sided sand sculpture has resulted in quite the statement in The Shops at Mohegan Sun,” -said Jeff Hamilton, President of Mohegan Sun. “Dr. Gladys Tantaquidgeon is such an important and beloved Mohegan leader, and her likeness and presence shine through with this piece — we’re really excited for guests to discover this artistry at the center of Mohegan Sun!”
Weighing an estimated 10 tons, this sculpture was crafted entirely from sand by the award-winning team at Professional Sculptors, LLC, featuring celebrated artists Abe Waterman and Greg J. Grady, also known professionally as “G2.” This year, the sculpture prominently features the late Dr. Gladys Tantaquidgeon, a revered Mohegan Medicine Woman, co-founder of the Tantaquidgeon Museum, and Native American advocate and educator. The installation honors her enduring legacy and brings to life Mohegan symbols and stories, providing guests with a memorable cultural experience.
The intricate Mohegan Sun Hot Summer Fun Sand Sculpture is the work of two highly acclaimed sand sculptors.
Abe Waterman, from Prince Edward Island, Canada, is recognized for his imaginative approach to ephemeral art. Transitioning to sand sculpting in 2007, his accolades include:
- First Place at the 2025 Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition
- European Champion at the International Sand Sculpture Europe Championship in Belgium (2021)
- World Champion in the Doubles category with Dmitry Klimenko at the Virginia Beach Neptune Championship Sand Sculpting (2018)
Greg J. Grady, a New Hampshire native and second-generation sand sculptor, has transformed a childhood passion into a global career. With over 15 years of experience, Grady travels internationally creating intricate sand masterpieces and organizes premier sand sculpting festivals. His recent achievements include:
- Texas SandFest Master Duo Sculptor First Place (with Abe Waterman) (2025 & 2026)
- Siesta Key Crystal Classic, People’s Choice Award (2025)
- Sugar Sand Festival, People’s Choice Award (2024-2025)
This installation offers a unique opportunity for guests to appreciate art, engage with Mohegan culture, and capture a memorable summer moment. The opposite side of the piece showcases an intricate Roulette wheel design under a Hot Summer Fun banner, which is Mohegan Sun’s long-running summer marketing campaign filled with exciting promos, can’t-miss festivals, great entertainment and more.
For more information, visit: mohegansun.com/hsf
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic Southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, two distinct convention centers, an expo center, a golf course, over 70 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan also operates an iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Ontario, CA providing cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on X and Instagram @mohegansun and view us on YouTube.
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