BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) invites creators of all ages to design and build original Lego sculptures and display them at the museum in its 13th Annual Lego Contest & Exhibit, taking place Friday, Nov. 13 through Monday, Nov. 16.
“Although it's a contest, no one is really focused on the competition,” BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld emphasized in a news release. “This is all about celebrating creativity and having fun.”
This year's event blends virtual events with a socially distanced in-person exhibition.
On Wednesday, Nov. 4, “Lego Masters” finalist and brick artist Jessica “Ragzy” Ewud presents a pair of Lego workshops via Zoom, with sessions for ages 9 to 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. and for ages 4 to 8 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Ragzy will give participants a “challenge build” in which they have 30 minutes to create a Lego piece based on a prompt. She will conclude by offering an expert “brick tip” to participants.
Admission is $35, and registration is required. Because the event is virtual, participation is open to children ages 4 to 14 anywhere in the world.
Contest entries welcomed
Lego Contest & Exhibit entries must be delivered to BMAC on Monday, Nov. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m., or Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. The online entry form must be submitted before dropoff, including a $5 entry fee.
Entries from past years have included a replica of BMAC, an amusement park, a model of Brattleboro's Harris Hill ski jump, and a working pinball machine.
BMAC will display every entry submitted to the contest. The creations will be on view from Friday, Nov. 13, to Monday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily.
The Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m. via Zoom and Facebook Live. A panel of judges will award prizes based on creativity and craftsmanship in six age groups: preschool; grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12; adult; and adult/child collaborations.
Other prizes will be awarded at the judges' discretion. Every contestant will receive a personalized certificate of participation.
Contest guidelines and entry forms are available at brattleboromuseum.org. Participants may call BMAC at 802-257-0124, ext. 101, with any questions.
Admission to BMAC is pay-as-you-wish, with advance registration of parties available at brattleboromuseum.org/visit. Walk-in visitors are also accepted. Masks and social distancing are required.