MANSFIELD — Prepare to be amazed — and maybe even inspired — by Nathan Sawaya’s complex LEGO building brick sculptures when “The Art of the Brick” returns to the Mansfield Art Center May 7 through Aug. 27.
The exhibition features more than two dozen sculptures not displayed when “The Art of the Brick” had its first run at the Art Center three years ago.
For those inspired to snap together a few LEGO building bricks, the Mansfield Art Center will provide a large “Enter-active” Education Tent where adults and children can explore their own creativity.
Sawaya’s sculpture exhibits have drawn record-breaking crowds around the world. Mansfield Art Center executive director George Whitten expects “The Art of the Brick” to attract about 20,000 visitors during its four-month run here. With 80 percent of them coming from out of town, the exhibit will help boost local tourism.
Sawaya, 42, literally built a career out of LEGO bricks. While working as a corporate attorney in New York City, he experimented at home with the colorful plastic bricks to relieve stress and explore his own creative leanings. He found ways to assemble the bricks to create organic shapes that project human emotions in unique ways. Demand for his sculptures took off and, in 2004, Sawaya left behind his law career to pursue art full-time.
Sawaya’s LEGO brick sculptures grace major art institutions and collections around the world. Two years ago, he founded The Art of Revolution Foundation to encourage people to make art a priority in our homes and schools.
Admission price for “The Art of the Brick” is $10 for adults and $5 for children 15 years of age and younger.
An opening and preview party is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at the Art Center. Reservations are available by calling the Art Center at 419-756-1700 by May 1. The $25 donation supports exhibition and education programs,
The Mansfield Art Center’s mission is to enrich the lives of children, families, and adults through art exhibitions and art educational programming for all. It is located at 700 Marion Ave., Mansfield.
Access the Art Center online at http://www.mansfieldartcenter.org/. Or on Facebook and Twitter.
