ESTEVAN — The Estevan Leisure Centre's 60 and Over Club room was a busy place on Saturday as Lego enthusiasts from across Saskatchewan gathered for the annual Brickery event, hosted by the Saskatchewan Lego Users Group (SLUG).
Co-organized by Christopher Ursu and his wife Jillian, the showcase featured a variety of intricate Lego creations, drawing builders and fans alike.
"We have a collection of Lego creations by builders from all over Saskatchewan. Mostly southern Saskatchewan, but they come in from different places," said Christopher Ursu. "My wife Jillian and I are from here, and we wanted to organize a show closer to home. We often go off to shows in places like Saskatoon, so it's nice to have one down here."
The event showcased a wide range of themes, from space and pop culture to medieval castles. This year's exhibition also included several motorized models, which added an extra element of motion and interaction.
"Lego has had for many years, decades, their power functions in different capacities," said Ursu. "Some of the builders in the group have been experimenting more, adding motorized sections. It kind of grabs the attention of the audience."
One of the highlights of Brickery was the "I Heart [blank]" challenge, where builders designed models inspired by a personal passion, incorporating heart elements.
"We decided our challenge would be 'I Heart ___,' and then we'd fill in the blank. So we've got everything from 'I Heart Love' to a literal beating heart," Ursu explained.
Attendees were invited to vote for their favourite creations, with the winning design receiving a trophy adorned with heart-shaped pieces.
The annual showcase is a popular event, attracting Lego fans of all ages. According to Ursu, the event's regular attendance seats at about 400 people, and their busiest year saw about 700 attendees. He noted that they seemed to be on par with their average interest this year.
The event also serves as a social hub for the SLUG community, which has been growing steadily.
"We're about 50 members, hovering around that," said Ursu. "We've had people who come in and build with us for a season, and then they kind of disappear, or we've had people who've been here from the beginning. Myself and a few others have been part of SLUG for 15 years."
SLUG's community is diverse, attracting members from across the province and even beyond.
"Our membership is made up of people from Saskatchewan, and we also have members from Alberta, Manitoba and even British Columbia," Ursu said. "The builders that come to this show are usually from Saskatchewan, but we get people from all over."
In addition to organizing the Brickery, SLUG members recently completed filming the second season of the Lego show with Access Communications.
"Shows like this inspire people and share our interest. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can have fun with building Lego," said Ursu.
The show, which features teams building creative models under time constraints, highlights the fun and skill involved in Lego building.
"We have a panel of judges, and teams are given a set. They have to build something within half an hour, and then we make our judgments based on who captured the theme the best," Ursu explained. "It's a bit more tricky when you only have access to the pieces in the box."
For those who missed this weekend's event, SLUG has more shows planned, including the Brick Stories exhibition in White City this December and a major showcase at the Moose Jaw Western Development Museum next summer.
SLUG's inclusive nature has helped it grow steadily, welcoming newcomers with various levels of experience.
"Anyone over 18 who has an interest in the hobby can join," Ursu said. "We've had people who like collecting sets, and others who want to give building a try. Even if you start off small, you can build your collection over time."
The group shares resources and tips, fostering a sense of community among its members. Ursu noted that members help each other, whether by lending pieces or offering advice on how to build collections or anything else.
"Our main focus has always been trying to encourage people to build their own things," Ursu said.
