BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) invites makers of all ages to design and build original Lego creations and display them at the museum for the 16th annual Lego Contest & Exhibit, which takes place Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 9 through 12. New this year is a special printmaking workshop featuring Legos as printing tools.
Every entry submitted to the contest will be displayed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the exhibit. Admission to the museum is free, courtesy of M & T Bank.
Having showcased the talents of hundreds of builders of all ages every year since 2007, BMAC will again honor the creativity and craftsmanship of all contestants with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 5:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded in seven age groups: preschool, grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, adults, and adult-child collaborations. Other prizes may be awarded at the judges' discretion. Every contestant will receive a personalized certificate of participation.
According to BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld, memorable entries from the past 15 years have included a working ATM and slot machine, a replica of Brattleboro's Harris Hill Ski Jump, a grandfather clock, a ferris wheel, an assortment of mechanized marble runs, busts of Abraham Lincoln and Bernie Sanders, and more.
"What I love about this event is that it treats Legos with the same respect accorded to paintings and drawings created by accomplished artists," said Ari Essunfeld, 22, a former contestant. "Every creation gets its own museum label, and for the four days that they're on display, visitors to BMAC get to see Lego robots, fantasy homes, and battle scenes displayed alongside the museum's curated exhibits."
All Lego contest entries must be delivered to BMAC on Monday, Nov. 6, between 4 and 6 p.m. An online entry form must be submitted before drop-off, including a $5 entry fee. Contest guidelines and entry forms are available at brattleboromuseum.org. For more information or special requests, call BMAC at 802-257-0124, ext. 101.
This year's printmaking workshop, presented in partnership with First Proof Press, on Sunday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m., takes Legos a step further. BMAC Manager of Education Programs Kate Milliken will guide participants through the process of designing and constructing a unique letterpress substrate, or a printing surface, with the plastic building pieces.
Each participant will use their own substrate to create letterpress cards and posters. The workshop takes place at First Proof Press, 183 Main St.. No prior printmaking experience is needed, and all materials will be provided.
Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Admission is $45, $30 for BMAC members. Register at brattleboromuseum.org. Participants between the ages of 6 and 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
This The Arts item was submitted to The Commons.