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Long Island LEGO fans can now experience larger-than-life brick creations without heading to LEGOLAND.
Old Westbury Gardens is hosting “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks,” a sprawling outdoor exhibit featuring 17 nature-inspired sculptures built from more than 300,000 LEGO pieces across the historic estate’s 200 acres. (Click here for additional details.)
The exhibit, which opened earlier this month, marks the first time the nationally touring installation has appeared in New York.
“We love bringing temporary exhibits onto the property,” Old Westbury Gardens president and CEO Maura Brush told Greater Long Island. “Any time someone visits who hasn’t been here before, we’re excited for it.”
Created by acclaimed LEGO artist Sean Kenney, the exhibit blends art and nature with colorful sculptures placed throughout the gardens and grounds. Visitors can stumble upon a dragonfly perched near the water, a frog sitting on a lily pad in the reflecting pool, or foxes weaving through the rose garden.
Brush said the exhibit has already attracted attention from both families and adult LEGO enthusiasts alike.
“Obviously, we anticipated there would be families interested,” she said. “But there’s been a really wonderful outpouring of support from adult LEGO enthusiasts.”
The sculptures were intentionally designed to complement the estate’s natural surroundings.
“When you’re out in the landscape looking at this installation, you’ll see that it really is mimicking what is already here,” Brush said. “We are home to foxes and hummingbirds, monarch butterflies — all of these things the artist used as his inspiration are found here at the garden.”
The exhibit runs through Sept. 7 and is included with general admission to the gardens. Organizers are also planning themed events throughout the summer, including family nights, Brick Builders programs for children and chaperones, and “Bricks & Brews” evenings geared toward adult LEGO fans.
Brush said repeat visits are encouraged as the gardens continue to evolve throughout the season.
“There’s always something changing,” she said. “Coming back several times really gives you the full breadth of the growing season.”
— exhibit photos by Dawn Alcott
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