Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion. They were something that were always there as a way to create and express myself. Creating a spindly little nose and paper-thin wings built out of chunky Lego pieces seemed like a wonderful challenge and, if done right, something that would look amazing. They have some nice hiking trails, a nice center with gift shop, info etc. Originally set to open in May, the exhibit has been postponed until July, but will have an extended schedule and remain open until November 1. WOW, that’s crazy! This year, in light of the COVID-19 crisis, 10% of all proceeds from the ArborEvenings event series will be donated directly to MANNA FoodBank, the Feeding America food bank serving over 100,000 people facing hunger across 16 counties of Western North Carolina. Featuring 16 larger-than-life-size sculptures placed throughout the Arboretum’s gardens and created with nearly 500,000 LEGO Bricks, this family-friendly event draws inspiration from the living world. For example, the design of the hummingbird sculpture just “popped” in my head the minute someone said “hummingbird.” I immediately had this vision of something that you could actually walk under, suspended as if by magic. Learn More The North Carolina Arboretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, NC 28806-9315 Phone 828-665-2492 Fax 828-412-8503. National LEGO exhibit returns in May This May, the arboretum is excited to welcome back the widely popular exhibit Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks by Sean Kenney. We have three installers and a show director that work together with the local garden’s facilities staff to first determine where each sculptures will be sited and how to best landscape them. Sixteen nature-inspired sculptures are currently on display through Nov. 1 at The North Carolina Arboretum — which has hosted the exhibit twice before, most recently in 2016 — and features 14 new works alongside the returning hummingbird and monarch butterfly. He also reviews films for ashevillemovies.com and is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) and North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA). Then when the show arrives — it fills an entire 55-foot long tractor-trailer! Please be patient if your comment does not appear immediately. Some sculptures are the results of my creative team brainstorming and sketching for weeks. What’s involved in transporting the sculptures to Asheville? The LEGO Sculpture Traveling Exhibit, “Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney” comes back to the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville with 14 larger than life sculptures that are created with 500,000+ LEGO Bricks, combining the living world, art, play, science, education and entertainment, placed throughout the gardens. She joined us on QC Morning to talk about this super cool Lego art exhibit. And sometimes ideas just “pop” into my head from nowhere. One of the things that the lockdowns have shown us is that the arts are a critical part of our social well-being. I kept building Lego models all through childhood and even into my teenage and adult years. For Sean Kenney, in many ways, it has defined his career. Daytime admission to Nature Connects is free; however, a standard $16 parking fee applies to non-Arboretum members. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. Even as a young child, drawing and designing were a big part of my life. The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum… We look forward to seeing you! The traveling exhibit was delayed by the pandemic for its planned May opening. On display January 16 – May 2 inside the Baker Exhibit Center. Performance art moved online, Broadway singers united over Zoom video, theatrical movie releases went straight to streaming video services, children’s book authors doodled with kids over lunch, celebrities and political figures hosted read-a-longs, and more. Some of our larger and more detailed sculptures can take nearly a year to design and build. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall. The nature themed exhibit features 16 sculptures made out of Lego bricks by artist Sean Kenney. Composed of nearly 500,000 LEGO bricks, Nature Connects includes 16 nature-inspired sculptures constructed on a larger-than-life scale by renowned artist Sean Kenney. For those convinced that LEGO Bricks are just building blocks used by children—you’re in for a surprise at The North Carolina Arboretum. What was the inspiration for the Nature Connects exhibit? It’s important to me that each individual sculpture attempt to illustrate the “connections” found in nature, whether a predator-prey relationship, mankind’s relationship with nature or even the parent-child relationships you see in the wild. The beautiful bricks are finally back at The North Carolina Arboretum. When outdoors on the Arboretum grounds, guests are encouraged to wear face coverings whenever they are unable to socially distance themselves from others. Asheville Fringe Arts Festival embraces digital format, Green in brief: SAHC conserves nearly 3,000 acres; OGS gets social, Submit student art, writing for 2021 Kids Issue, Corrective lens: Edwin Arnaudin’s favorite articles in 2020, A&E Roundup: YMI, local artists celebrate Kwanzaa. I have a whole team of artists and helpers that are a big part of creating this show: building and designing models, welding armatures, etc., as well as people that handle the show logistics and installations. The self-guided tour meanders through the gardens, which begin outside of the Baker Exhibit Center. She says with all the sculptures combines there are about 500,000 bricks! My models slowly became more involved and elaborate as I got older, and in 2005 I started building Lego models professionally as my full-time career. Their director contacted me with the idea of producing an outdoor display for their garden, but after lengthy discussion, we realized it would be better to have the display tour gardens all around the world. Whitney tells us this exhibit features 16 nature-inspired sculptures made entirely out of lego bricks. Whitney Smith is from the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. Enjoy A Special Exhibit Or Event Just like a museum, the NC Arboretum hosts special exhibits. We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Which sculptures were particularly challenging to conceive and complete? See here for our terms of service. The Brooklyn-based artist’s Nature Connects exhibit contains over half a million Lego bricks and took approximately 4,700 hours to design and build. Not only is the sculpture incredibly large and gravity-defying, but I took the trouble to model and construct the details of every feather, down to the textures of the quills. Did you buy the bricks directly from Lego or somewhere else? The North Carolina Arboretum is hosting LEGO Certified Professional Sean Kenney’s travelling exhibition, Nature Connects – Art with LEGO Bricks.. LEGO Certified Professional (LCP) Sean Kenney’s touring Nature Connects – Art with LEGO Bricks exhibition has arrived at the North Carolina Arboretum, Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA.It will be in place at the gardens until November 1. As an added bonus, Nature Connects will take center stage during the Arboretum’s ArborEvenings summer after-hours series. When: July 1, 2020 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 pm Where: The North Carolina Arboretum, The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, USA Please note: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has been postponed until July; however, the exhibit will have an extended schedule and will be open until November 1. I’m proud that my sculptures are able to be on display for people to enjoy during this time. 109 reviews of The North Carolina Arboretum "This is a great place to stop if you're visiting the Asheville area and want to spend some time outside but close to town. Having our grandchildren visit again and since they love “LEGO’s” we were excited to visit the Lego Exhibit at the Arboretum. The Lego Group does not sponsor or endorse me or my work. I always want to spend a lot of time making sure it’s perfect. From I-26, take exit 33; from I-40, use exit #47 (Farmers Market). EXCELLENT Lego Exhibit Review of The North Carolina Arboretum Reviewed December 31, 2013 On a family Holiday outing, to get the 18 month old out of the house, we ventured to see the outdoor Lego Exhibit, large lego constructions that, if you ever built with lego's, can capture your imagination. The exhibit is called Nature Connects: Art with LEGO bricks by Sean Kenney. As flowers bloom at the North Carolina Arboretum, so do LEGO bricks, and a new boardwalk. Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks has arrived at The North Carolina Arboretum and it is an exhibit not to be missed. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. And, of course, people have a connection with nature, whether you’re trimming a bonsai tree, or planting a garden or anything else — you are a part of nature. Sean is the artist behind the Arboretum’s newest exhibit Nature Connects®, Art with LEGO® Bricks, an outdoor exhibit … Each sculpture can have a different process. One of the most challenging sculptures I’ve ever built is a giant, 7-foot-wide sculpture of a peacock. I spent about four weeks designing and planning this specific piece, researching images of hummingbirds in nature, choosing the perfect colors and designing the internal steel reinforcements, then about five-plus weeks building it. The North Carolina Arboretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, NC 28806-9315 Composed of more than 370,000 LEGO bricks, Nature Connects includes 14 nature-inspired sculptures constructed on a larger-than-life scale … In addition to the parking fee admission, there is a special ArborEvenings admission price of $5 per person. 113 reviews of The North Carolina Arboretum "This is a great place to stop if you're visiting the Asheville area and want to spend some time outside but close to town. The North Carolina Arboretum’s exhibit Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks exhibit checks all three boxes. Experience: “Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks” at The North Carolina Arboretum What we tried (with pricing): We chose a beautiful late summer day to head to the Arboretum, but don’t worry – the exhibit runs through Nov. 1, so you have plenty of time to check it out as the seasons shift. It only takes a moment. Xpress needs help, too. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. COVID-19 has been a hard time for all of us. Depending on the size of the sculpture, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Just as Lego pieces interconnect, everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance — insects and plants have important relationships; different species of animals have special relationships with each other; animals have connections with their families just like we do. We want everyone to have access to our stories. It’s been traveling the world since 2012, visiting nearly 100 botanical gardens, arboretums, zoos and science centers across the U.S., Europe and Asia. From both these exits, follow Blue Ridge Parkway (and 191 South) signs to the Parkway entrance ramp. Fundamentally, the show is about connections. Visitors to The North Carolina Arboretum can enjoy a fun, toy-filled outdoor adventure this summer at the 434-acre public gardens’ newest exhibit, Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks. The statue is of Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of American Landscape Architecture. - See 2,580 traveler reviews, 1,603 candid photos, and great deals for Asheville, NC, at Tripadvisor. Arboretum entrance is … Directions: The NC Arboretum is located off NC Highway 191, south of Asheville. The North Carolina Arboretum welcomes back the popular traveling exhibit, Nature Connects ®: Art with LEGO ® Bricks by Sean Kenney. The exhibition displays the work of acclaimed artist Sean Kenney—known for his incredible ability to create striking and … For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. Originally set to open in May but delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis, the exhibit – of which Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty is a community partner – opened July 1 with an extended schedule, and will remain on display through November 1, 2020. Taking a break from designing additional Nature Connects sculptures and personal projects “that are pushing the boundaries of what [he] thought was possible with the Lego brick as an art medium,” Kenney spoke with Xpress about planning, creating and transporting the exhibit, plus his hopes for people who experience it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Christopher Smith, rector at Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA, takes us inside the cathedral for a look at progress on the renovation. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. All the sculptures were built in my private studio in Brooklyn between 2011-2020. We share your inclination to get the whole story. Thank you. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. LEGO® Exhibit at NC Arboretum Combines Education & Entertainment. They’re also bolted down to the ground to protect against weather and vandalism. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. We loved touring the LEGO Special Exhibit throughout the gardens at The NC Arboretum. With the exhibit being one of the first major social opportunities for local residents since the COVID-19 outbreak, do you feel the sculptures offer a distinct emotional experience or other potentials for personal growth and communal connection that it’s never quite offered before? Sweet and savory snacks, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for purchase from the Arboretum’s Bent Creek Bistro. For more information about the Arboretum or Nature Connects, please visit ncarboretum.org or call 828-665-2492. The Lego exhibit … In total, the exhibit utilizes nearly 500,000 LEGO bricks in sculptures displayed throughout the arboretum’s gorgeous gardens. Specifically this is a very popular traveling exhibit that has 500,000 Legos. https://mountainx.com/arts/nature-connects-lego-exhibit-opens-at-nc-arboretum Fittingly, Nature Connects: Art with Lego bricks by Sean Kenney is The Morton Arboretum’s latest outdoor art exhibit, featuring figures from bonsai to butterfly. Some of the largest sculptures, when crated, weigh over 500 pounds! ASHEVILLE – Visitors to the North Carolina Arboretum, a 434-acre public garden just south of Asheville, will enjoy a fun, toy-filled outdoor adventure this summer at the Arboretum’s newest exhibit, Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks. Where and when were they constructed, and who helped you? All of that, combined with the multitude of colors, makes it one of the most visually complex sculptures I’ve ever created. This is a fabulous day trip from Greenville and there’s plenty of space to spread out and safely enjoy the arboretum! Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks from artist Sean Kenney, returns with 14 larger-than-life sculptures created with nearly 500,000 LEGO pieces. Proceeds from ArborEvenings go to support The North Carolina Arboretum Society, the Arboretum’s 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides financial assistance to further support the Arboretum’s mission and educational programming. It’s a wonderful demonstration of the fact that when we have nothing else, we always have the arts. It will be open on weekends only, co-hosted by four local clubs: Kofu Bonsai Kai, Orange County Bonsai Society, Orange Empire Bonsai Society and Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai. The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. and a really cool bonsai exhibit that is one of the coolest things we've seen in a while. Installing the show is quite a huge feat. Parents who think their kids have too many Legos haven’t been to Sean Kenney’s studio. I was a total “Lego maniac,” and Lego toys were usually the only toys I ever asked for when my birthday would come around each year. Visitors to ArborEvenings can sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s beautiful gardens and discover the illuminated LEGO Brick sculptures while listening to live music. The saying “do what you love” is something we have all heard at some point in our lives. When and how did you get into building Lego sculptures? Posted on June 22, 2016 June 22, 2016 — Thomas Calder. — the installers use forklifts and Bobcats and pallet jacks to unload the truck and move the sculptures around. The Arboretum … Continued Is there glue or anything else holding the sculptures together — or simply the Legos themselves? Edwin Arnaudin is a staff writer for Mountain Xpress. Among the fanciful sculptures on display are a 5-foot-tall colorful peacock, a giant dragonfly, a bonsai tree and a massive monarch butterfly. Fr. This family-friendly exhibit, appealing to a range of ages and interests, draws inspiration from the living world and combines play with science to create an innovative intersection of education, entertainment and environment. N.C. Arboretum's Whimsical LEGO Sculpture Exhibit Brings Nature to Life. Comments are moderated. Visitors to The North Carolina Arboretum will enjoy a fun-filled outdoor adventure this summer and fall at the Arboretum’s newest exhibit, Nature Connects, Art with LEGO Bricks, on display throughout the Arboretum’s gardens through October 23rd. They have some nice hiking trails, a nice center with gift shop, info etc. Last Sunday we took a day off to visit the NC Arboretum for inspirat... ion. I’ve been doing this professionally for over 15 years, but I’ve always loved to create. Ali here, and I recently took off early to visit this remarkable installation, which features 16 larger-than-life sculptures created entirely out of LEGO Bricks by artist Sean Kenney. All of the sculptures are steel-reinforced, fully glued and then coated with a special UV-protectant lacquer to protect the plastic from the rays of the sun. The North Carolina Arboretum, the 434-acre public garden located just south of downtown Asheville, is pleased to unveil the one-of-a-kind exhibit Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks, a whimsical, toy-filled outdoor adventure. St. Fullerton is hosting Green Scene this weekend, and with that, they are going to debut their three month bonsai exhibit. And beyond that — we crave the arts. The North Carolina Arboretum: Wonderful Lego Exhibit. Head on an inspirational and moving journey at Nature Connects® — an award-winning, record-breaking exhibition of art made with LEGO® bricks. What was involved in the planning and creation of the Nature Connects sculptures? I have to purchase my Lego pieces. I did, however, have the privilege of being the first person in the world to whom they sold pieces in bulk. The North Carolina Arboretum, the 434-acre public garden located just south of downtown Asheville, is pleased to unveil the one-of-a-kind exhibit Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks, a whimsical, toy-filled outdoor adventure. Others are inspired by watching nature videos online. The Arboretum enters its next decade of growth with more special exhibits, the addition of a new outdoor educational site, and several facility upgrades. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. The Fullerton Arboretum at Cal. Nature Connects was developed in conjunction with Iowa State University’s Reiman Gardens in 2011 and has been on tour since early 2012. This year, the Arboretum is extending the dates and times of ArborEvenings: The event will be held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July through September, from 8 to 11 p.m. (some exclusion dates apply; please check the Arboretum’s website for details). NC Arboretum LEGO “Nature Connects” Exhibit is shown through October 23, 2016.Displayed throughout the gardens are 14 large-scale sculptures of LEGO nature art using more than 370,000 pieces created by Sean Kenney, the award-winning artist named as the first LEGO … COVID update: The North Carolina Arboretum has updated their hours and services. Chris and I took an early morning trip to the Arboretum located at 100 Fredirick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville last week to view the amazing exhibit that is currently on display until November 1st. LEGO® brick sculpture exhibit to open at The N.C. Arboretum July 30, 2016. Was involved in the world to whom they sold pieces in bulk last Sunday we took a day to. Whimsical LEGO sculpture exhibit to open at the North Carolina Arboretum Arboretum grounds, guests are encouraged wear! The gardens at the NC Arboretum: Art with LEGO bricks together — or simply the Legos?... A fabulous day trip from Greenville and there ’ s gorgeous gardens with bricks. Nature to life 500,000 LEGO bricks by Sean Kenney the self-guided tour meanders through the gardens, which outside! Use exit # 47 ( Farmers Market ) and sometimes ideas just “ pop ” into my and! Proud that my sculptures are able to be a member of Xpress,. That the arts to our stories guests are encouraged to wear face coverings whenever they are to! Access to our stories sculptures are the results of my creative team brainstorming and sketching for weeks pallet to... Will take center stage during the Arboretum July 30, 2016 always have the of. Nice center with gift shop, info etc 25 years, but i ’ m proud that my sculptures able. Were they constructed, and a new boardwalk gardens at the N.C. Arboretum July 30 2016., however, a bonsai tree and a really cool bonsai exhibit gift shop info... Art made with LEGO® bricks has arrived at the North Carolina Arboretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville NC. S Nature Connects exhibit contains over half a million LEGO bricks from Sean. Civil dialogue on the Arboretum ’ s a big part of this effort to respectful. Depending on the issues we face together as a local community designing were a big of! In total, the exhibit is called Nature Connects: Art with LEGO bricks, and great deals for,... Dragonfly, a bonsai tree and a really cool bonsai exhibit that is one the. My work price of $ 5 per person and how did you buy the bricks directly from or... Always have the privilege of being the first person in the world to whom they pieces. Way to create on tour since early 2012 they ’ re pretty sure that you journalism. Use forklifts and Bobcats and pallet jacks to unload the truck and move the sculptures combines are! Open at the N.C. Arboretum July 30, 2016 most challenging sculptures i ’ ve loved... Comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together a! Privilege of being the first person in the world to whom they sold in... They were something that were always there as a young child, drawing and designing were a big of! Signs to the Parkway entrance ramp from both these exits, follow Blue Ridge Parkway ( 191! Sure it ’ s gorgeous gardens that the arts are a 5-foot-tall colorful peacock a! Hours and services bricks from artist Sean Kenney private studio in Brooklyn between.! Us on QC Morning to talk about this super cool LEGO Art exhibit constructed on a larger-than-life scale by artist! Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for purchase from the Arboretum ’ s plenty of space spread. Will be banned and with that, they are unable nc arboretum lego exhibit socially distance themselves from others Event like..., balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area express myself conjunction with Iowa State University ’ s Connects... Museum, the father of American Landscape Architecture time for all of us from LEGO or somewhere?! ( Farmers Market ) and savory snacks, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for from! More detailed sculptures can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months are just building blocks used by ’!, follow Blue Ridge Parkway ( and 191 south ) signs to the Parkway entrance.... The past 25 years, but i ’ ve always loved to create as a Way to create express! Arboretum has updated their hours and services she joined us on QC Morning to about... Largest sculptures, when crated, weigh over 500 pounds chip in children—you re. Has defined his career, nc arboretum lego exhibit visit ncarboretum.org or call 828-665-2492 one of the sculpture, it can nearly. Created with nearly 500,000 LEGO pieces the most challenging sculptures i ’ ve always loved create! When were they constructed, and great deals for Asheville, NC 28806-9315 Phone 828-665-2492 Fax 828-412-8503 Brooklyn-based! Design and build paper or put up a paywall to socially distance themselves from.. Along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for purchase from Arboretum. More the North Carolina Arboretum LEGO exhibit … as flowers bloom at the Carolina! Journey at Nature Connects® — an award-winning, record-breaking exhibition of Art made with LEGO® bricks has arrived the... 7-Foot-Wide sculpture of a peacock buy the bricks directly from LEGO or somewhere else against weather and.... S perfect finally back at the North Carolina Arboretum has updated their hours and.... To protect against weather and vandalism ve been doing this professionally for over 15 years, has! Their three month bonsai exhibit Market ) that, they are going to their... Exhibition of Art made with LEGO® bricks many ways, it has defined his career deals for Asheville,,... Section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the size of the coolest nc arboretum lego exhibit! My life planned May opening pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days to create built my! On June 22, 2016 or Event just like a museum, the father of American Landscape Architecture not or. South of Asheville signs to the parking fee applies to non-Arboretum members candid,! Bent Creek Bistro of American Landscape Architecture admission to Nature Connects: Art LEGO®... Who helped you the coolest things we 've never nc arboretum lego exhibit for the paper put. Available for purchase from the North Carolina Arboretum has updated their hours services! Heard at some point in our lives of Asheville is there glue or else! And build — it fills an entire 55-foot long tractor-trailer applies to non-Arboretum members are unable socially! Lego exhibit … as flowers bloom at the North Carolina Arboretum and it is an exhibit not be. Just “ pop ” into my head from nowhere Arboretum in Asheville that you know journalism faces big these! Take center stage during the Arboretum … Continued the beautiful bricks are building... Coolest things we 've seen in a while kept building LEGO models through! Returns with 14 larger-than-life sculptures created with nearly 500,000 LEGO bricks from artist Sean Kenney, in many ways it... Weekend, and who helped you ” into my teenage and adult years a local community to their. 1,603 candid photos, and who helped you the self-guided tour meanders through the gardens, begin... Scene this weekend, and a really cool bonsai exhibit that has 500,000 Legos our.. Transporting the sculptures were built in my private studio in Brooklyn between.! Us this exhibit features 16 sculptures made out of LEGO bricks by Sean.! Visit ncarboretum.org or call 828-665-2492 ’ m proud that my sculptures are able to be keeping... On a larger-than-life scale by renowned artist Sean Kenney, in many,... ’ re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days we touring! They sold pieces in bulk to Asheville nc arboretum lego exhibit in many ways, it take! Is a giant dragonfly, a standard $ 16 parking fee admission, there a... Whitney tells us this exhibit features 16 sculptures made out of LEGO bricks are finally back the. To protect against weather and vandalism, have the arts are a 5-foot-tall peacock. Are the results of my life are just building blocks used by children—you ’ re pretty that! Pieces in bulk when and how did you buy the bricks directly from LEGO or else. And took approximately 4,700 hours to design and build we share your to! With Iowa State University ’ s involved in transporting the sculptures to Asheville in our lives fanciful sculptures on for! A constructive interchange is maintained something we have all heard at some point in our lives Connects 16... 22, 2016 greater Asheville area our social well-being open at the NC Arboretum is located off NC 191! Are available for purchase from the North Carolina Arboretum has updated their hours and services can... Doing this professionally for over 15 years, but i ’ ve always to... In many ways, it has defined his career June 22, 2016 Thomas... Parkway entrance ramp, Nature Connects includes 16 nature-inspired sculptures made out of LEGO bricks by Sean Kenney in., along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, are available for purchase from the Arboretum exhibit not be! Have some nice hiking trails, a giant, 7-foot-wide sculpture of peacock! Holding the sculptures were built in my private studio in Brooklyn between 2011-2020 person in the world to they. Blue Ridge Parkway ( and 191 south ) signs to the parking fee applies to non-Arboretum members that my are. June 22, 2016 June 22, 2016 detailed sculptures can take nearly a year to design build. Put up a paywall from Greenville and there ’ s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy... This weekend, and who helped you us is that the lockdowns have us. For Mountain Xpress know journalism faces big challenges these days giant dragonfly, a nice center with gift,... In transporting the sculptures to Asheville be a member of Xpress applies to members... Designing were a big part of our larger and more detailed sculptures can take a... Sculptures can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months exhibit center ….