event entertainment

SAND ANIMATION ARTIST

Hello! I’m Charlene Lanzel… It's been more than 14 years since I launched my sand animation business, back in February 2011, and so much has happened since then.

I've created over 100 custom sand animations for corporate and private clients. I use a light box, sand and my hands to create fluid emotional stories, synced to a unique musical soundscape. These sand animations are simultaneously projected large screen for live audiences to experience, or filmed in HD for your live or virtual event.

I've done animations for Cirque du Soleil, MTV News, Travel & Leisure, Doodle 4 Google, GE Healthcare, TBS Network and many more. I've performed at amazing venues, like Caesar's Colosseum in Las Vegas, The Fillmore in Philly, The Smithsonian in D.C. and Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. I've traveled to international locations, like Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Playa Del Carmen, Berlin, Montréal and all over the USA. I've performed at events featuring: Jordin Sparks, Brené Brown, Beau Lotto, Nili Brosch, John Mayer, Wynton Marsalis and The Roots. I’ve also synced my sand animations to the inspirational poetry of Theo Wilson, Denver Poet Laureate Bobby LeFebre and others.

It's been a very exciting journey and I'm really looking forward to sharing new things here. So... Stay Tuned! Thanks for visiting. I look forward to creating a custom sand animation just for you.

BASED IN LOS ANGELES, CA

Watch my sand art VIDEOS!

*In April 2022, I launched my very own ethical sand art clothing and product line, bringing my art to the fashion world. My original sand art designs are now being produced on high-end sustainable clothing and accessories. For more information, read this blog: WEAR SAND ART… then visit my Le Galeriste shop. You can find even more products designed with my sand art at Redbubble!

LIVE Sand Animation Performance

Charlene Lanzel's sand animation, sometimes known as sand art, sand drawing or sand painting, is beautiful to look at but lasts only in the moment. It is sand storytelling that makes life and time flow by, right before your eyes. A popular new trend in performance art, sand art is a form of live sand painting which evolved from earlier sand animation films. Live sand art performances are very dynamic and require the artist's presence to happen.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel performing LIVE at a Morning Session.

Charlene Lanzel’s projected, live, storytelling performances explore the relationship between real and virtual spaces, and create emotionally immersive environments which provide both entertainment and instruction. Her live sand animations are projected large scale onto a mega screen, using the latest in digital technologies, and synced to a live or recorded soundscape. 

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel's art is created live onstage, where people can watch the artist doing her performance in a darkened room. A video camera is positioned over the illuminated glass tabletop, upon which the artist creates sand magic. Sand scattered on a light box is formed and reformed into ever changing shapes and images that tell visually powerful stories. Charlene creates these fluid illustrations from memory, for large audiences, with an overhead camera instantaneously projecting onto a large screen for the audience to see.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel performing LIVE at a Summit Meeting.

Charlene Lanzel's sand performances are choreographed, rehearsed and synched to a dramatic soundscape, which Charlene creates to enhance the mood. Music accompanies the entire process as the sand artist’s hands follow the rhythm.

Her hands move slowly or quickly, as the elegant artwork is created, which challenges and motivates in a captivating way. The audience amazes at the decisiveness in her hands, since the sand artist's hands can always be seen creating in the projection. The results of the sand animator's process are unique.

Sand Animation is a practice which uses the visual and aesthetic properties of sand to create a live animated image. Sand is a fluid material and its grains settle by chance, creating living images made of a single texture. Sand art storytelling makes life and time flow by, magically, in front of your eyes. Guests will be interested and absorbed, and will certainly be talking about this wow factor at your next event! 

Learn more

Experiential Entertainment

Something experiential comes from the real world… from an experience.

Sand Animation is a form of experiential storytelling, performed live at: conferences, conventions, company parties, gala events and trade shows. A sand animation performance cultivates a successful and constructive learning environment. Leaders can view sand art experiences as learning opportunities that can be valuable for their organizations, and help their employees to see these experiences as great chances for growth and development.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel performing LIVE at a holiday event.

It is vital for leaders to adjust their approach for solving new challenges. By practicing a new approach, like a sand animation experience, leaders can have more enjoyable and effective interactions with their employees while maximizing learning potential. Approaches are reinvented through experiential sand storytelling to improve strategy and effectiveness. Sand animation simulations can mimic real situations, to help in the learning process without real-world consequences. It creates a deeper understanding of a complex topic in a risk-free setting.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel performing LIVE at a company party.

For team members to continue to refine their skills and grow as professionals, in the most efficient and effective manner, experiential learning helps them to comprehend by actively engaging in an experience. The aim is to deepen understanding and develop better skills. For people to become more effective and capable in their work, a sand animator’s scenarios represent potential situations, aiming to prepare employees for situations encountered in their professional lives. They are actively participating in the learning experience.

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel performing LIVE at a trade show.

Experiential entertainment makes employees think about a topic differently. It encourages community and social bonding through a shared, immersive activity, while promoting creativity and learning, strengthening relationships and building a sense of belonging. It persuades people to share experiences created in a unique way. This makes them start talking about an event… and even creating a ripple effect. Experiential sand animation performances can boost morale, engagement, and collaboration among employees.

A standing ovation for Charlene’s LIVE conference performance!

Sand animation experiences are immersive, emotional, and unforgettable performances that go beyond traditional marketing formats. They are a great way to educate, entertain, and inform. Unique and engaging events grab attention, creating lasting memories and emotional bonds. They make information stand out, and lead to higher engagement and interest.

Experiential sand animation storytelling provides a unique, memorable and enriching experience. 

Wedding Sand Art

Add special uniqueness to your wedding reception or dinner. Sand animation is a new, different and exciting way to tell your love story...

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel creates a memorable sand art story just for you, which adds a luxury element to your wedding event. Include portraits and shared experiences drawn in the sand, performed to a custom musical soundscape. Your love story comes alive with this unique live animation!

Charlene offers 3 options for live wedding sand art to suit your budget: Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke.

1) 10 minute Live AMBIENT WEDDING: This is the most economical option. Charlene performs a love story from her stock animation “Love & Nature” with the characters personalized to look like the wedding couple. (2-3 weeks lead time)

2) 10 minute Live COMBINATION WEDDING: This is a popular option. Choose scenes from Charlene's stock imagery storyboards. Did you meet at the beach, city or countryside? Choose your scenery, choose from personalized wedding scenes, and add a sentiment at the end. (2-3 weeks lead time)

3) Live BESPOKE WEDDING: This is the best option. Use your imagination! Tell your completely customized story in sand with scenes of your choice, including: portraits, beautiful scenes, memorable experiences, and more. At least 7 minutes custom animation is recommended to tell your story. (3+ weeks lead time)

Charlene's sand art can be performed LIVE at your reception or dinner...

and/or

4) a SAND ART VIDEO of an Ambient, Combination (or) Bespoke animation can be created for large screen viewing at the event. An HD digital video file (.mp4) of your sand animation includes a custom musical soundtrack which synchs with the artwork.

Please provide all information for the project at least 2-3 weeks prior to the performance or date needed. A signed contract, along with 50% deposit, are required to hold your date and start your custom project, prior to the 2 week deadline.

Choose a sand color to match your wedding theme! 

PICK (1) COLOR: B/W, Gold, Cocoa, Red, Pink, Cran, Purple, Blue, Aqua or Green…

SandColors2019.jpg

Reserve Charlene today for your wedding video or event!

Lightworker

I am a Lightworker… and I’m on a mission to brighten your world.

I devote myself to being a bright and shining, unique flavor of light. I work for the purpose of the greater good, keeping the highest interest of all beings in mind. I embody light, peace and truth to uplift humanity with a compassionate heart.

My desire is to produce positive messages, spread wisdom and warm people’s spirits. I hope to usher in a wave of positivity, love and joy. I reach out into dark corners to gain perspective, then dig through the shadows to help find inner light. 

The sand artist’s light box dream world gives us an incredible opportunity for growth and learning, to manifest positive changes and to shine light on new ideas. 

Light is an ever changing and mysterious medium. It is energy, a wave, a pulse and a spectrum. It is invisible, yet makes everything visible. Light has the power to change our perceptions, creating focus while supporting activity. Light helps the world heal and transform. 

Raise the vibration of the planet by being a conduit of light. Embody your authenticity. Use your thoughts to create a positive reality that makes a shining statement. 

Add light to your world!

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel

Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel

Voyage LA Magazine Interview 2

Charlene, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?


“All of my life, all I ever wanted to be was an artist…”

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Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel - Rising Star

SHOUTOUT LA Interview 1

An interview with Sand Artist | Charlene Lanzel…

“Hi Charlene, what role has risk played in your life or career?”

SHOUTOUT LA