Battle of the Bricks: Brattleboro Museum and Art Center's Annual LEGO Contest and Exhibit

Get ready to unleash your inner architect! The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center is rolling out the colorful bricks for its 17th Annual LEGO Contest and Exhibit. From Nov. 7 through 11, builders of all ages are invited to showcase their imaginative designs and impressive creations. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to play with blocks like you've never played before. Don't miss the thrilling awards ceremony on Nov. 6, where the most creative minds will be celebrated — because who says LEGO is just for kids? New for this year's awards ceremony are special prizes for Most Creative Micro Build, Best Use of Moving Parts and Most Interesting Use of Color. Winners of these three new categories and Best in Show will each receive a $100 gift card to the LEGO Store. The 17th Annual LEGO Contest and Exhibit is sponsored this year by Foard Panel and G.S. Precision, Inc. Having showcased the talents of hundreds of LEGO artists of all ages every year since 2008, BMAC will again honor the creativity and craftsmanship of all contestants with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m. In addition to the new categories, prizes will be awarded in six age groups: preschool through kindergarten, grades 1 through 3, grades 4 through 6, grades 7 through 12, adults and adult/child collaborations. In a press release by BMAC, Director Danny Lichtenfeld noted that memorable entries from past years have included a replica of Brattleboro's Harris Hill Ski Jump, busts of Abraham Lincoln and Bernie Sanders, a working ATM and slot machine, an assortment of mechanized marble runs, a six-foot tall pink office building, a ferris wheel, an amusement park, a grandfather clock, a model of BMAC and spaceships galore. "This event is so delightful because it's all about celebrating creativity and having fun together," Lichtenfeld said. "We are particularly excited about the new special prize categories and can't wait to see what this year's builders come up with." All LEGO contest entries were delivered to BMAC on Monday, Nov. 4, and every entry submitted will be displayed at BMAC from Thursday, Nov. 7 through Monday, Nov. 11. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Nov. 7 and 8, and 10 a.m., to 4 p.m., on Nov. 9 through 11. Admission is "pay as you wish." LEGOs don't just have to be used for building though. The public is invited to take LEGOs a step further by attending a printmaking workshop at First Proof Press in Brattleboro on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to learn how to design and construct a unique letterpress substrate, or printing surface with LEGOs, then use the substrate to create letterpress cards and posters. All materials will be provided, and no prior printmaking experience is needed. Space is limited, so advance registration is required. Register at brattleboromuseum.org. The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center was founded in 1972 and presents rotating exhibits of contemporary art, complemented by lectures, artist talks, film screenings and other public programs. BMAC is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. BMAC Is located at the intersection of Main St. and Routes 119 and 142. For more information and accessibility requests, visit brattleboromuseum.org, call 802-257-0124, or email office@brattleboromuseum.org.