Conservation Events Visual Arts

LEGO® Art: Nature’s Other Building Blocks

LEGO Art

Artist, Sean Kenney

LEGO® Exhibit at NC Arboretum Combines Education & Entertainment

For those convinced that LEGO Bricks are just building blocks used by children—you’re in for a surprise at The North Carolina Arboretum. Now through October 23, the Arboretum will host “Nature Connects®, Art with LEGO® Bricks,” an exhibition of 14 large-scale works of art incorporating more than 370,000 pieces. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, artist Sean Kenney created sculptures of several species including a praying mantis, bald eagle, and monarch butterfly. He says he began building with the bricks when he was just four years old.

“Due to its size, uniqueness, and magnitude, “Nature Connects” is a one-of-a-kind exhibit that truly appeals to all ages, groups, and interests,” says George Briggs, executive director of The NC Arboretum. “Sean does a terrific job of bringing together art and nature using an iconic toy—the LEGO brick—to help connect visitors with the natural world.”

The Arboretum works to cultivate connections between people and plants, drawing more than 500,000 visitors every year to its gardens, trails, exhibits and plant shows, educational programs, demonstrations, and lectures.

In conjunction with the Arboretum’s annual Monarch Butterfly Day on September 17, guests are invited to create their own LEGO sculptures and learn more about how we can help protect the pollinators.

Admission is free for Arboretum Society members or with the standard parking fee of $12 per personal vehicle. The NC Arboretum is located at 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville. To learn more, visit ncarboretum.org, or call 828.665.2492.

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