Sandcastle sculptor banned by luxury hotel after 20 years over political message

Bill Pavlacka, a sandcastle artist who worked near the Hotel del Coronado for nearly 20 years, says he was asked to leave after the hotel objected to political messages in his work including a Mark Twain quote; the hotel said it and the artist "have parted ways."

Bill Pavlacka, known locally as The Sandcastle Man, says he was asked to leave the section of beach outside the Hotel del Coronado after nearly 20 years of making sand sculptures. He says the hotel objected to political messages in his work and pointed to a Mark Twain quote as the most recent issue. Pavlacka says he had been warned previously about other phrases and that hotel staff raised concerns about his conduct. The hotel issued a brief statement saying the hotel and The Sandcastle Man "have parted ways" effective February 5. Key points: - Bill Pavlacka says he was asked to leave after the hotel objected to a Mark Twain quote and to other phrases he had used in his sculptures. - Hotel del Coronado issued a public statement saying the hotel and The Sandcastle Man "have parted ways" effective February 5. - Pavlacka has worked in that spot for nearly 20 years; there is no public notice of further legal or procedural steps and the situation is reported as undetermined. Summary: The change ends a long-running presence of a local sand sculptor near the Hotel del Coronado and has prompted reactions from residents and visitors. Undetermined at this time.