Florence is adding another distinction to its reputation as Oregon’s Coastal Playground and the Sandboarding Capital of the World with a new art exhibit that blends adventure, craftsmanship, and visual design. Throughout January and February 2026, the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting an exhibit of handcrafted sandboards by world-renowned sandboarding pioneer and artist Lon Beale, internationally known as “Dr. Dune,” transforming the Chamber’s Visitor Center and Art Gallery into a showcase of functional fine art.
The exhibit, located at the Chamber’s gallery at 290 Highway 101, features sandboards not merely as sports equipment, but as collectible art pieces. Each board on display reflects Beale’s distinctive ability to merge high-performance design with striking visual expression, challenging conventional ideas about what sporting gear can be.
Beale is widely recognized as the founder of Sand Master Park, the world’s first sandboarding park, which opened in Florence in 2000. He is also a co-founder of Dune Riders International, the organization that governs competitive sandboarding worldwide. Over the past two decades, his work has helped elevate the sport from a niche activity to an internationally recognized discipline, drawing elite athletes, media attention, and global tourism to the Oregon Coast. Competitions hosted in Florence have been televised by ESPN and FOX Sports, further cementing the area’s reputation as a global hub for sandboarding.
Beyond his influence on the sport itself, Beale brings more than 40 years of experience as a professional graphic designer to his work. He previously owned and operated Xwest Custom Apparel in Southern California and has taught graphic design and related creative disciplines in schools and correctional institutions. His instruction in photography, airbrushing, screen printing, digital design, and visual fundamentals has helped launch numerous creative careers, an educational legacy that now finds expression in a very different medium.
The Florence exhibit features eight handcrafted sandboards and two sand sleds produced locally under Beale’s Venomous Sandboards and Monarch Sandboards brands. Each piece combines digital design techniques with hand-painted finishes, resulting in bold imagery that ranges from animal-inspired motifs to vibrant, semi-psychedelic compositions. While fully functional and built for performance on sand, the boards are also designed to stand alone as visual statements.
“My goal is to help people see sandboards as functional art,” Beale said. “They’re meant to be ridden, but also proudly displayed, much like a custom guitar. A personalized board becomes a reflection of its owner.”
That philosophy resonates strongly with Chamber leadership. Bettina Hannigan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, described the exhibit as a revelation for many visitors encountering sandboards in this context for the first time. “People have no idea how beautiful a sandboard can be,” Hannigan said. “These boards are bold, graphic, polished, and absolutely breathtaking. Lon Beale is a true artistic genius.”
Beale’s innovations extend beyond aesthetics. He has played a central role in developing wet-sand sandboards and sand sleds, expanding the sport’s accessibility and making it possible to ride year-round. Those advancements have opened sandboarding to riders of all ages and skill levels, reinforcing Florence’s appeal as a destination where adventure and inclusion intersect.
After traveling extensively in search of the world’s best sandboarding terrain, Beale and his wife, Robin, ultimately chose Florence as the permanent home for their vision. He credits the region’s unique sand conditions and the community’s long-standing support as key factors in that decision. “Florence has some of the most rideable sand on the planet,” Beale said. “It’s abundant, accessible, and paired with a community that supported us from day one.”
The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and Art Gallery. Visitors are invited to experience a rare intersection of sport, art, and innovation, one that reflects both the creative spirit of Lon Beale and the distinctive character of Florence itself.