VISITORS to Kirkleatham Museum will have the opportunity to gaze at a range of miniature marvels as a major Lego exhibition comes to the borough.
‘Brick Planet’ was created by Lego artist Warren Elsmore, who has recreated some of the world’s most famous landmarks including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Las Vegas Strip.
Warren said: “It’s great to bring together models from my first two books – Brick City and Brick Wonders – and to display them in Kirkleatham. We had a lot of fun deciding which models to build for the two books and it’s great to see them all on display. Hopefully it might inspire some local builders to have a go themselves!”
It isn’t just world locations that have been transformed into Lego creations – Redcar and Cleveland’s own Saltburn Pier is also on display in Lego.
The pier’s creator, 42-year-old Mark Willis, has built a number of Lego creations over the years as it helps his Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD and bipolar disorder.
He said: “One of the features of these conditions is an affinity with Lego; it gets the mind working and is very creative and therapeutic. I think that the majority of people with autism will identify with Lego and enjoy building it.”
Mark, who has been featured on the BBC show Collectaholics, has previously exhibited work at York, Wakefield and London – where he created a 30 square metre model exploring the history of the Denmark-made brick.
Cllr Carl Quartermain, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Skills and Leisure, said: “I am very happy that Kirkleatham Museum can play host to Brick Planet – one of just a few museums in the country to host Warren’s creations. I’m equally pleased that we could commission a great local landmark to be immortalised in Lego to represent Redcar and Cleveland in the exhibit.
“Brick Planet promises to deliver fun for Lego fanatics of all ages and I would urge everyone to get down to the museum before the exhibit ends.”
The exhibition runs from Saturday, May 7, until Monday, July 11.
Tickets cost £3.50 for adults, £1.50 for children and a family ticket costs £8.50 for two adults and up to three children. For more information on Brick Planet, go to: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/kirkleathammuseum.