The Art of the Brick | The World's Most Elaborate Display of LEGO® Art
May 25 - September 1, 2019
Presented by CEFCU
THE ART OF THE BRICK takes LEGO somewhere you wouldn’t expect and shows you things you have never seen before. The goal with this collection of art is to demonstrate the potential of imagination and the power of creativity.- Nathan Sawaya, artist
THE ART OF THE BRICK, a captivating touring exhibition, features intriguing works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world, the LEGO® brick. This critically acclaimed collection of creative and inspiring pieces constructed using only LEGO bricks is created by renowned contemporary artist Nathan Sawaya.
Designed to inspire ingenuity and creativity, is the world's most elaborate display of LEGO brick art, featuring more than 100 artworks. The collection highlights original pieces as well as re-imagined versions of some of the world's most famous masterpieces made exclusively from LEGO bricks, such as van Gogh's "Starry Night" and da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" as well as a gallery showcasing an innovative, multimedia collection of LEGO brick-infused photography produced in tandem with award-winning photographer Dean West.
Visitors will have the opportunity to get up-close and in-person with the fan favorite, "Yellow," a life-size sculpture of a man ripping his chest open with thousands of yellow LEGO bricks cascading from the cavity. In addition, visitors will be able to walk under a 20-foot-long T-Rex dinosaur skeleton made out of bricks and come face-to-face with a giant LEGO skull.
THE ART OF THE BRICK is the first major museum exhibition to use LEGO bricks as the sole art medium. Sawaya transforms LEGO bricks into tremendous and thought-provoking sculptures, elevating the toy to the realm of art. Sawaya’s ability to transform this common toy into something meaningful, his devotion to spatial perfection and the way he conceptualizes action, enables him to elevate what almost every child has played with into the status of contemporary art.
Interactive Activity Area
THE ART OF THE BRICK is sure to inspire the artist within. Take inspiration from Sawaya’s artwork to create your own LEGO brick sculptures in an interactive activity area, where you can build whatever you can imagine.
Exhibition sponsors
The Peoria Riverfront Museum gratefully acknowledges our exhibition presenter, CEFCU, and our exhibition sponsors, the Gilmore Foundation and the Visionary Society.
Photo: "Yellow," Nathan Sawaya
Museum After Dark | Bricktastic Luau
Sat, Jun 1 | 7-10 pm
Put on your best Hawaiian shirt and join us for a night of brick building and tropical fun! Sign up for the limbo contest, participate in brick building challenges, and play Bricktionary against your pals! If you are brave enough, attempt the brick fire walk on Sun Plaza. You’ll also have the opportunity to view our amazing current exhibition, The Art of the Brick, without kiddos around!
Plus, in the Museum Lobby:
Science demos and hands-on activities: 3D printer demos, island art projects, & more!
Strike your best hula pose & take your photo in paradise with our Green Screen Photo Booth.
A cash bar will be available with beer and wine, plus a tropical signature drink – Red Brick Punch!
Ages 21+
$15 for members | $20 public
Buy tickets online now - click here
.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Relax Under the Stars | FREE Noon Event!
Wed, Jun 5 | 12-1 pm
First Wednesday of every month, 12-1 pm
Dome Planetarium
Stressed at work? Need a break from your hectic day? Come to Dome Planetarium and calm down. Enjoy a short star talk, then let your tension float away under starry skies with soothing background music. First Wednesday of every month at noon.
Free parking in the museum's parking garage. If you arrive past Noon, it will be dark in the Dome. Please pause for a few minutes to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Food and drink welcome in the Dome.
Please note that all are welcome, but this program may not be suitable for young children. It is designed to give people a quiet time to relax, and periods of long sitting can be difficult for some young ones.
Upcoming Dates: July 3, August 7, September 4
More info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Water Lilies of Monet: The Magic of Water and Light
Co-Sponsored by the Fine Arts Society of Peoria
Fri, Jun 7 | 6 pm
Sat, Jun 8 | 6 pm
Sun, Jun 9 | 4 pm
Giant Screen Theater
The story of the origin of a massive work of art that broke with convention, of an artist resurrecting his life only thanks to painting. His human endeavor defied both space and conventions in his timeless masterpieces. A unique, exclusive look at the masterpieces housed at the Orangerie Museum, the Marmottan Museum, the Orsay Museum and Giverny, for the first time ever on the giant screen for an unrepeatable experience. 1h 20m.
Member: Adult $8.50 | Child (3-17) $6.50 | Senior (60+) $7.50
Public: Adult $10.50 | Child (3-17) | $8.50 | Senior (60+) $9.50
Buy tickets online now - click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
LASER LIGHT NIGHT | Vinyl & Zeppelin
Fri, Jun 8
6 pm | Laser Vinyl (Hits from the 70’s and 80’s such as AC/DC, Van Halen, Queen, and Kansas)
7 pm | Laser Zeppelin
Dome Planetarium
Sit back, relax, look up and rock out! Listen to your favorite music - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, U2, and more - while being dazzled by the multicolored laser light show on the Dome. Enhance your experience - pick up spectrum glasses and refreshments from our concession stand and enjoy the show! 35-50 min. (Note: These shows contain lyrics to popular songs and some may not be suitable for all ages.)
Members: $5 one show, $8 both shows | Public: $7 one show, $12 both shows (to get combo price tickets call 309.686.7000 or visit the ticket desk in person)
Buy tickets online now - click here.
For more information call 309.686.7000
Click Here for the full Laser Light Nights Schedule
Brick Building Challenge!
Sat, Jun 8 | 2-4 pm
Permanent Collections Gallery (Interactive area of Art of the Brick)
Join in the creative brick building fun with your friends and family at the museum! Each session enjoy a new challenge to build or spin our challenge wheel for a challenge all your own. Work as a team or solo, either way you’ll have fun with this structured building time. When you’re finished, you can add your design to our display. Does not include taking home brick creations.
Upcoming Dates: Jul 27, Aug 17, Aug 24
Free for Members & with Art of the Brick Admission
More info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Art Club
Tue, Jun 11 | 1-2 pm
Boardroom
Art Club is a monthly meeting of people who love art. We select a different topic each month, and enjoy a casual staff-led discussion (with Powerpoint slides) accompanied by coffee and treats. Participants are encouraged, though not required, to submit discussion suggestions of art that is related to the topic. It's like a book club, but without as much homework!
This month's topic is Max Ernst!
If you would like to discuss a piece please email: hplacko@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
Coffee and treats are served. Please bring your own coffee cup!
Free to members and with general admission.
More info available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Pub Night Under the Stars | Sun Celebration
Fri, Jun 14 | 7-9 pm
Planetarium
Celebrate the summer solstice with food and drink! Learn the science behind our closest star and hear updates on NASA’s ongoing mission: The Parker Solar Probe.
These evenings are held in two parts. A star talk using our highly realistic Zeiss ZKP4 star projectors, time to socialize and enjoy the beer and refreshments, than a tour of the universe using our immersive real time software.
Guests will receive up to 3 craft beers, delicious food, and sides included in ticket price. To request vegetarian option, call 309.863.3048.
Ages 21+
$30 Members l $36 Public
Buy tickets online now - click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
All supplies provided for programs unless otherwise noted. All paid programs require a minimum number of participants to run or will be cancelled two business days prior to the start date. Pre-registration required.
Robo Rumble | FREE DAY*!
Sat, Jun 15 | Noon-5 pm
Lobby, Sun Plaza, Auditorium
Experience the exciting world of robotics as area teams demonstrate their robots in this family-friendly annual event. Come out and try your hands on one of these robots, other hands on activities, and connect with these amazing high school students to learn how your kids can get involved with these programs!
Free for Members | Public - Free General Admission. Giant Screen Theater is not included.
*Up-charge applies to The Art of the Brick | The World's Most Elaborate Display of LEGO® Art
($7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children)
For more info call 309.686.7000.
Tiny Tot Explorers
Thu, June 20 | 11:30 am-Noon
IL River Classroom
Join us every third Thursday for Tiny Tot Explorers! Preschoolers and their adult caregivers will enjoy a story and hands-on art or science activities related to the book. Each month will have a different theme that correlates to one or more of the museum’s pillars of art, science, history and achievement!
In June, the summer season starts and we celebrate Great Outdoors Month! So our theme for June will be…Outdoor Adventures!
Free for members and with general admission.
Brick Building Challenge!
Sat, Jun 29 | 2-4 pm
Permanent Collections Gallery (Interactive area of Art of the Brick)
Join in the creative brick building fun with your friends and family at the museum! Each session enjoy a new challenge to build or spin our challenge wheel for a challenge all your own. Work as a team or solo, either way you’ll have fun with this structured building time. When you’re finished, you can add your design to our display. Does not include taking home brick creations.
Upcoming Dates: Jul 27, Aug 17, Aug 24
Free for Members & with Art of the Brick Admission
More info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
GeekFest
Sat, Jun 29
All ages fun! Games, building bricks, cosplay, costume contest & more!
Experience the Museum transformed into a nerdy night to remember at our 2nd annual GeekFest: Round 2. Challenge friends and family to video games, explore our new Art of the Brick exhibition, and much more! Throughout the night there will be awesome panels, fabulous door prizes, awesome exhibitions in the galleries, vendors selling geeky wares and showing off cool stuff in the auditorium, as well as a juried costume contest (Be sure to review our Cosplay and Costuming Weapons Policy) !
All ages welcome; under 16 cannot be admitted without a parent.
$15 Members | $20 Public
Buy tickets online now - click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309-686-7000.
Miyazaki Fest in the Giant Screen Theater:
Noon | Princess Mononoke
2:30 pm | Kiki's Delivery Service
5 pm | Howl's Moving Castle - 15th Anniversary!
7:30 pm | Spirited Away - Academy Award-winning Animated Film
Get $2 off admission to GeekFest when you purchase a ticket to one Miyazaki Film - discount only available in person or by phone 309.686.7000. Or show your Miyazaki Film ticket day of & get $2 off GeekFest admission!
For film descriptions - click here.
Interested in being a vendor, panelist, or activity provider? For more info - click here.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Showing daily July 2-18
Giant Screen Theater
Peter Parker returns in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the next chapter of the Spider-Man: Homecoming series! Our friendly neighborhood Super Hero decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent!
2D
Public: Adult $10.50, Child $8.50, Senior (60+) $9.50
Member: Adult $8.50, Child $6.50, Senior (60+) $7.50
3D
Public: Adult $14.50, Child $12.50, Senior (60+) $13.50
Member: Adult $10.50, Child $11.50, Senior (60+) $12.50
Buy tickets online now - click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Relax Under the Stars | FREE Noon Event!
Wed, Jul 3 | Noon-1 pm
First Wednesday of every month, Noon-1 pm
Dome Planetarium
Stressed at work? Need a break from your hectic day? Come to Dome Planetarium and calm down. Enjoy a short star talk, then let your tension float away under starry skies with soothing background music. First Wednesday of every month at noon.
Free parking in the museum's parking garage, just bring in your ticket to be validated at the Front Desk. If you arrive past Noon, it will be dark in the Dome. Please pause for a few moments to allow your eyes to adjust to the dark. Someone will help you find your seats. Food and drink welcome in the Dome.
Please note that all are welcome, but this program may not be suitable for young children. It is designed to give people a quiet time to relax, and periods of long sitting can be difficult for some young ones.
Upcoming Dates: August 7
More info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Member presale begins May 13-19
Nonmember tickets available May 20
Click here to purchase your tickets!
Member bonus! Bring your family and friends! Purchase up to 4 guest tickets per household at the member rate.
Please bring your own seating.
For questions call 309.686.7000 or email events@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
Astronaut Training Day
Museum Lobby
Sat July 20 I 11 am - 2 pm
Free to Members and with regular paid admission
Train like an astronaut! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with space science activities in the museum lobby.
One Small Step... One Giant Party
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11
Museum Lobby, Sun Plaza, and Dome Planetarium
Sat July 20 I 7 - 10 pm
Members $35 | Non Members $45
Dress up in your best retro wear and step back in time to 1969! Relive the moment when we took our first steps on another world with heavy hors d'oeuvres, signature cocktails, and live music. Watch the moon landing, view the moon through telescopes, take in a planetarium show, and explore space science demonstrations.
Ticket price includes one drink ticket and hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available.
Buy tickets online now - click here.
Tickets & more info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
Brick Building Challenge!
Sat, Jul 27 | 2-4 pm
Permanent Collections Gallery (Interactive area of Art of the Brick)
Join in the creative brick building fun with your friends and family at the museum! Each session enjoy a new challenge to build or spin our challenge wheel for a challenge all your own. Work as a team or solo, either way you’ll have fun with this structured building time. When you’re finished, you can add your design to our display. Does not include taking home brick creations.
Upcoming Dates: Aug 17, Aug 24
Free for Members & with Art of the Brick Admission
More info also available at the Museum or by phone: 309.686.7000.
