Local Peter Karns has been creating sand sculptures along Flat Top Drive for the past 10 years as a hobby. A snowbird from Wyoming, his first sculpture was the Wyoming cowboy from his car’s license plate.

Karns has created many works of art, delighting tourists and residents alike. His work, known by word of mouth and pictures people post on social media, has drawn such attention that Flat Top Drive is now a tourist attraction. Folks come from all around to see his work.

A few weeks back there was a post on social media with a picture showing a spot where one of Karns’ two sculptings of the presidents on Mt. Rushmore had been allegedly vandalized. They were bemoaning why someone would want to vandalize his work.

The Progress got in touch with Karns, who reported that no one actually vandalized his work. He demolished it himself, as it had deteriorated too much. He plans to redo it, and must start from scratch.

Karns is currently working on a sculpture of Crazy Horse Monument, presently under construction in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He said, “My sculpting will be finished long before theirs.”

Karns is 80 years old and says he enjoys sculpting and enjoys the fact that others enjoy his work. It is just sand, and it will disappear, but that’s okay.

He is doing this on city land and gets a city permit with a release of liability clause to do his sculpting. Karns said he does not mind when others come and add their works on the walls, but they have not paid for the right to sculpt there as he has. “In all the years I have been sculpting there, there has been very little vandalism. Mostly what there is, is kids being kids, climbing and playing, not malicious.”

The Progress spoke with Mike and Lorna Cosenza, who had driven out from Las Vegas just to see the sculpting. They were amazed. “It is so nice seeing people do excellent work like this,” Mike said. They were even more impressed because they got to meet Peter Karns himself, who happened to be there at the same time.

Karns said, “My tools are a shovel, a nail puller and an ice pick. I already have those; it really cost me nothing to do it. I enjoy it.”