CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A giant sand sculpture of President Barack Obama hovers over the Democratic National Convention's host city. But landlocked Charlotte is nearly 200 miles from any beach — and the sand is actually from a mine in South Carolina.
Perhaps the biggest hazards for the sculpture, though, are periodic rains coming through Charlotte that have required some quick repairs to ward off minor water damage. Some have said the indentations from rain drops made him appear to have acne.
The visitors bureau for Myrtle Beach, S.C., paid $30,000 to build the sculpture that sits a few blocks from the convention hall.
Sand sculptor Larry Hudson said it took a team of five people about 3 days to finish the sculpture, which shows the president with his arms crossed and smiling broadly. Hudson said the sculptors finished Saturday just before a large thunderstorm struck, requiring touch-ups.
