Second Annual LEGO® Competition Celebrates 'Masterpieces'

The Whatcom Museum is excited to announce its second annual LEGO® competition. This year's theme is masterpieces: contestants are asked to submit original LEGO® creations inspired by their favorite artwork or everyday things they consider to be extraordinary. Registration is open now, and entrants can select one of three age-group categories to participate in: children 5 – 10 and families; teens 11 – 17; and adults 18+. Local artists and LEGO® Master TV contestants Brad Bergman and Mike Tarrant will be returning as judges.

“Last year’s contest was so much fun, and we are looking forward to hosting it again! We were thrilled to see so many amazing designs from LEGO® enthusiasts of all ages,” said Whatcom Museum Education Manager Bridget Girnus. "This year, our theme is masterpieces. We've all been inspired by the artworks in our exhibitions Verdant and The Exquisite Veil. We’d love to see what inspires you in brick form, from artwork to your community, to the natural world and beyond.”

Important Dates and Details:

Register online by April 18, 2025.
After registering, bring your LEGO® creation to the Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall building between April 16 – 19.
Creations will be on display April 23 – May 4, and museum visitors can vote for a People's Choice Award winner.
Judges will announce a winner in each age category May 2 at 6 pm during Free First Friday.
One entry per person/family, and all creations must be original (no kits).
More information and FAQs on the Whatcom Museum website.

In addition to the LEGO® contest, guests on May 2 will be treated to free admission and activities as part of the Whatcom Museum's Access for All Free First Friday program, made possible by a generous grant from the Art Bridges Foundation. May's Free First Friday theme is Bricks, Blocks, and Children’s Art Walk. The day will feature face painting, acts by the Shoestring Circus, musical performances, plus:

2 – 5 pm: LEGO® Brick Pit and building challenges with local LEGO® Master contestants Brad Bergman and Mike Tarrant
3 – 5 pm: Make a mask for the Procession of the Species in the Family Interactive Gallery
5:30 – 6 pm: Meet Brad and Mike and find out who the LEGO® contest winners are!

Visitors can also learn how Brad Bergman designed an original model of Old City Hall made of almost 3,000 LEGO® bricks, which is now up for voting on the LEGO® Ideas website. LEGO® Ideas is a platform where independent creators can design their own models and earn votes from LEGO's worldwide fan community. Each creation that earns 10,000 votes gets formally evaluated and judged by LEGO®, which then selects a design to turn into an official LEGO® set. Bergman and the Whatcom Museum team are hoping to get to 5,000 votes next month. Each voting milestone is awarded with additional days to continue working toward the ultimate goal of 10,000 votes before time expires. Bergman also created limited-edition micro versions of Old City Hall, which sold out quickly at the Whatcom Museum Store over the holidays.

We acknowledge that Whatcom County is located on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. They cared for the lands that included what we’d call the Puget Sound region, Vancouver Island and British Columbia since time immemorial. This gives us the great obligation and opportunity to learn how to care for our surrounding areas and all the natural and human resources we require to live. We express our deepest respect and gratitude for our indigenous neighbors, the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Tribe, for their enduring care and protection of our shared lands and waterways.