World-renown LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya comes to the Delaware Valley

Once dismissed as simple children's toys and instruments that deliver sharp pain to the feet of unsuspecting parents, LEGO bricks are now used to design awe-inspiring works of art.

Preeminent artist Nathan Sawaya, recognized globally as the greatest designer of LEGO creations, will bring his works to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia for an exhibition and hand's-on experience.

Here's more about Sawaya's global "Art of the Brick" tour, including what to expect and how to get tickets.

'Art of the Brick' features three-dimensional works, creative zone

According to Sawaya's website, he is the first artist to take LEGO into the art world with exhibitions that focus exclusively on LEGO bricks as the medium. Sawaya's tour features a curated collection of large-scale sculptures, life-like portraits, and wildly imaginative installations have been obsessively and painstakingly crafted and are both beautiful and playful.

Sawaya is internationally regarded for his designs, which have included giant dinosaur replicas, various objects depicted as if flowing in the air, and even a giant Big Bird.

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Sawaya's exhibit will also include renditions of Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night" and  Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa."

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LEGO enthusiasts who become inspired by Sawaya's artwork will have the opportunity to build their own LEGO masterpieces.

Everyone who attends "Art of the Brick" will also have access to a 9,000-square-foot brick play space, which will have hundreds of thousands of LEGO bricks to create their own colorful works of wonder.

'Art of the Brick' opens mid-February in Philadelphia

Sawaya's "Art of the Brick" exhibit opens on Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Daytime tickets, which includes full admission to the Franklin Institute are $43 per adult and $39 for children 11 or younger. The daytime exhibition runs from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

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Tickets for the evening hours exhibit — which runs from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. — are $20 per adult and $20 for children 11 or younger.

Flex Time tickets, which allow patrons to visit the Franklin Institute and enjoy the "Art of the Brick" at any time, are $61.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya brings creations to Franklin Institute