Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for creating a sand painting which enables designs to be conveniently formed in close proximity to the sand and allows the re-use of the apparatus when it is desired to change the design. The apparatus is comprised of a 3 piece fixed frame in which is permanently secured a front transparent plate and a first backing plate having a vertical dimension approximately one-half the magnitude of the vertical dimension of the transparent plate. The transparent plate, first backing means, and frame form a lower portion of a cavity which is accessible from the top edge of the first backing plate for the introduction of sand, thereby enabling designs to be conveniently formed in the sand in the lower portion of the cavity from the relatively close proximity of the top edge of the first backing plate. To enable the re-use of the apparatus, a second backing plate is slidably engaged with the frame, with a lower edge supported by the first backing plate.