A New Adventure at MOBOT Connects Nature, LEGOs and Creativity

Tickets are on sale now for Nature Connects, Art with LEGO Bricks, a unique, new exhibit that opens to the public on May 24 and runs through September 7. Nature Connects will feature 25 larger than life LEGO brick sculptures, all created and designed by New York artist Sean Kenney and housed in the Garden’s Climatron. Over 300,000 brick LEGO pieces will be used in the construction of the exhibit, and a majestic bald eagle, a beautiful monarch butterfly and a giant praying mantis are among the nature-themed installations that will be on display.  

 “We’ve heard from a lot of people who are excited about Nature Connects,” says the Garden’s Katie O’Sullivan. “So many people have fond memories of building with LEGOS and bricks and we hope everyone will appreciate the work that has gone into these sculptures. It’s something people don’t have the chance to see very often, and we hope that kids of all ages will enjoy visiting the Garden for this event.”  

Plenty of other nature-themed activities will be taking place at the Garden in conjunction with the Nature Connects exhibit too.  In addition to the sculptures in the Climatron, Brookings Interpretive Center is currently home to the interactive “Nature in your Neighborhood” exhibit, which challenges visitors to explore and reconnect with nature in their own backyards, parks, trails and schoolyards.

Of course, aspects of LEGO bricks and building in general are also part of the fun.

And even more exciting for St. Louis families is the LEGO Brick Buildtanical Challenge that the Garden is hosting as part of the Nature Connects exhibit. Contestants of all ages and abilities (adults too!) are invited to participate in their own age category (8 and under; 9-14; 15 and up), or there is even a professional category for architects, artists, engineers, etc.  

To enter the Buildtanical Challenge, you first need to create your own LEGO sculpture, which must revolve around nature or the Missouri Botanical Garden family of attractions (the Garden, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House or Shaw Nature Reserve). Then you can submit a photo of your masterpiece here by June 30 for the chance to have your work judged by Nature Connects artist Sean Kenney himself when he visits the Garden in July.

Entries will be shared on the Garden’s website and social media channels, and potential prizes include a Garden membership, tickets to Garden festivals and, what else, LEGO merchandise.

“The Buildtanical Challenge offers both kids and adults the opportunity to showcase their work to others,” says O’Sullivan about the contest. “We hope having multiple age categories will encourage all LEGO fans to construct their own nature-centered works of art. We know people of all ages are passionate about LEGO bricks, and we wanted to come up with a creative way for people to be directly involved as the Garden encourages everyone to create and grow in 2014.”  

Admission to the Nature Connects exhibit is $6 for non-member adults and $5 for non-member children (ages 3-12), and $4 for adult members and $3 for member’s children (ages 3-12). These prices are in addition to regular Garden admission. There is no entry fee to participate in the LEGO Brick Buildtanical Challenge. To learn more about Nature Connects or the Buildtanical Challenge, visit www.mobot.org or call (314) 577-5100.

_{^{Photos courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden}}