Among the most beloved toys from childhood for many was Lego blocks. The possibilities were only limited by one’s imagination, as buckets of multicolored blocks of different sizes were pieced together to form anything from pirate ships, doll-sized neighborhoods or the family dog.

This month an exhibit will open featuring enormous Lego creations that will take building with Legos to an entirely new level.

Opening Sept. 19, artist Sean Kenney’s Lego Exhibit brings a new interactive experience to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, A Smithgall Woodland Legacy, in Gainesville.

The traveling exhibition will feature 14 instillations of oversized sculptures made entirely out of Legos placed throughout the Smithgall garden. More than 375,000 Lego blocks create 27 individual nature themed sculptures, including gardeners, a butterfly with a 5-foot wide wingspan, and a family of ducks.

Opening day will be filled with music and games taking place in the amphitheater, many hands-on Lego themed activities for the entire family, and discovery stations throughout the gardens.

The exhibit will be open until Jan. 3. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in Lego crafts and activities throughout the fall, including a special Lego construction contests.

Named Nature Connects, visitors of all ages will enjoy structures like the 6-foot-tall praying mantis standing among grasses of the Overlook Garden. Many of the larger sculptures, including the praying mantis made of over 42,000 Legos, is supported with steel rods and plates used for support.

A New York artist, Kenney’s exhibition has traveled throughout North America and features a variety of nature themed sculptures made of different plants, animals and even people. With the full collection featuring over 50 sculptures, created with over 1.6 million Lego bricks, Smithgall garden visitors have the chance to see an award winning exhibit without leaving the Hall County area.

For information on the Atlanta Botanical Garden, A Smithgall Woodland Legacy, in Gainesville visit atlantabg.org/visit/gainesville. For more information on Sean Kenney visit www.seankenney.com.