LEGO Sculpture Exhibit Inspires Kids to Explore Nature Interactive
Over two decades ago, Sean Kenney left his career as a cartoonist and graphic designer to embrace a more whimsical pursuit: LEGO artistry. Following this creative transition, Kenney has created numerous installations, children’s books, and exhibitions, collaborating with some of the globe’s leading corporations, television programs, department stores, and celebrities. Currently, the artist has partnered with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) for an innovative exhibition focused on his LEGO sculptures.
Titled Brick Planet, Kenney’s newest show takes both children and adults on an exploration of our natural environment. Brick Planet showcases creations constructed from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks, each curated into thematic sections. For example, “Our Planet” features surprising ecosystems, including a massive Galápagos tortoise, a monarch butterfly, a peacock, and even an extinct dodo bird. Conversely, “Ocean Odyssey” immerses visitors in a lively coral reef, teeming with schools of fish and baby sea turtles. Perhaps the most immersive experience is found in the “Walk in the Woods” area, where Kenney has reimagined an entire forest scene. In this space, guests can encounter deer, snakes, spiders, mice, and an enhanced “brickified” forest perspective through what are dubbed “Sean-oculars.”
At the heart of the exhibition lies biodiversity, as demonstrated by the variety of showcased habitats. Distant areas like the Arctic and Kenyan savannas blend with more familiar sights, including our own gardens. This specific gallery features creatures like butterflies, caterpillars, and bees, which may seem ordinary yet are vital to thriving ecosystems. Accompanying these pollinators are sculptures of gardeners, emphasizing how food is cultivated in gardens. According to the museum, the purpose of this section is to “remind visitors that their backyard is connected to the broader world.”
However, as its name implies, Brick Planet would be lacking without delving into our cities—after all, urban spaces are a significant part of our existence. In “Connect in the City,” sculptures of famous landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower sit beside infographics about urban planning. Kenney has even constructed a vast replica of Times Square, alive with vehicles, pedestrians, towering skyscrapers, and vibrant billboards (one of which showcases a Les Misérables promotion).
To further enrich the exhibition’s interactive nature, activities and experiences are woven throughout Brick Planet. In “Polar Brrrricks,” visitors are invited to waddle like penguins and engage with an interactive display to learn about the unique adaptations animals in the Arctic and Antarctic utilize for survival. For “Ocean Odyssey,” the museum promotes active participation, allowing attendees to construct their own underwater coral sea creatures with LEGO bricks.
“Ranging from emperor penguins to a praying mantis and colorful coral reefs, the exhibition provides a wonderful glimpse into how organisms coexist and collaborate through symbiosis—and it accomplishes this in a way that’s engaging and enjoyable for all ages,” comments Bridget Chalifour, the exhibition’s curator.
Brick Planet: A Magical Journey Made with Lego Bricks is currently on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science until May 3, 2026. For more information about the exhibition, visit the DMNS website.
In his latest showcase, LEGO artist Sean Kenney takes children on an exciting expedition through our natural world.
Brick Planet is now available for viewing until May 3, 2026, at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Exhibition Information:
Brick Planet: A Magical Journey Made with Lego Bricks
November 14, 2025–May 3, 2026
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO 80205
Denver Museum of Nature and Science: Website | Instagram
All images provided by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science press room.
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