Grand Rapids Art Museum Presents First Annual LEGO Celebration

The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) recently announced its first annual celebration exploring the creativity and wonder of LEGO®, Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®. In partnership with Bricks & Minifigs Grand Rapids, the exhibition will be on view at GRAM from November 4, 2023 through May 18, 2024.

Guests to the exhibition can expect spectacular creations in GRAM’s galleries from builders at Bricks & Minifigs alongside inventive designs from members of our community, all exploring the creative potential of LEGO®. 

“The Grand Rapids Art Museum is thrilled to welcome LEGO® lovers of all ages to GRAM this fall to experience the joy and creativity of LEGO® in Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®,” commented GRAM Director and CEO Cindy Foley. ​“LEGO® building has long been beloved across generations for its ability to create connections and inspire imagination, and this exhibition couldn’t come at a better time as we launch the Museum’s new gallery space for play and experimentation, The Blank Space.” 

Brick by Brick includes interactive and hands-on activities for guests to experience during their visit, including an interactive community LEGO® building area, a create-your-own minifigure drawing activity, and a minifigure scavenger hunt throughout the Museum.

“We believe in the transformative power of creativity, play, and fun for all ages,” commented Bricks & Minifigs Grand Rapids owner Julia Petersen. ​“We hope to inspire Grand Rapids to more play and creativity through our piece Rainbow World, which explores the fun of color and LEGO® parts of all kinds. We love seeing community come together around LEGO®, and can’t wait to see creativity and connectedness blossom through the upcoming exhibition at the GRAM!”

As part of the celebration, members of the community are invited to enter their original LEGO® creation in GRAM’s LEGO® Challenge to be featured on the Museum’s social media, as well as a chance to have their creation on display in GRAM’s galleries. Entries must be original and no larger than 14 x 14 x 14 inches. Selected entries from each category will be added to the galleries throughout the run of the exhibition:

· Adult (Ages 18 and over): Submissions due November 17 

· Youth (Ages 17 and under): Submissions due December 8

· Family (Entries built collaboratively as a family): Submissions due January 5 

Brick by Brick is the first exhibition to debut in the Museum’s new experimental gallery space, The Blank Space. The gallery space is designed to activate visitors’ imagination and encourage play through engaging exhibitions and participatory activities. With The Blank Space, GRAM commits to experimentation and creativity while remaining responsive to our community.

For more information about Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO® and to submit your LEGO® creation to the challenge, visit artmuseumgr.org/LEGO. 

About the Grand Rapids Art Museum 

Connecting people through art, creativity, and design. Established in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, the art museum is internationally known for its distinguished design and LEED® Gold certified status. Founded in 1910 as the Grand Rapids Art Association, GRAM has grown to include more than 6,500 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th-century painting and sculpture and more than 3,000 works on paper. Embracing the city’s legacy as a leading center of design and manufacturing, GRAM has a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft.

For museum hours and admission fees, call 616.831.1000 or visit artmuseumgr.org.