Interactive LEGO® Brick Exhibit Celebrating“Awesome Black Creativity” at Gail Borden Library Opens Jan. 15

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Interactive LEGO® Brick Exhibition Celebrating
“Awesome Black Creativity” at Gail Borden Public Library  
[Elgin, IL] Awesome Black Creativity (ABC), a celebration of Black figures in LEGO® Bricks, will be on display at the Gail Borden Public Library from January 15 through February 27, 2025. This interactive exhibition of LEGO brick-built figures, an A–Z series spanning history and various disciplines, will inspire guests to think about building in new, innovative ways while providing the opportunity to make their own creations.
ABC highlights creativity of all kinds – from sports figures to musicians, artists to environmentals, and more. Using a classic childhood medium such as LEGO bricks provides an easy entry point for families to engage. Viewing and learning about the influential figures is the first aspect of the exhibition. Guests will also have the opportunity to tell their own story through building with LEGO bricks – starting with a self portrait brick build and moving through the storytelling process by developing place and plot at freestanding design stations. 
The creators of the inspirational LEGO figures displayed in the exhibition are Dave Kaleta and Richard Dryden, who represented themselves on LEGO Masters FOX in 2021 as a team of dads who are passionate about environmentalism, social justice, and civic and cultural pride. To continue the work they began on the show, they embarked on a 26-figure project. Awesome Black Creativity celebrates contemporary and historical Black creatives across disciplines such as contemporary dance, photography, music, film, culinary arts, activism, and more. 
Together the duo collaborated to select who would be featured; Kaleta designed and built the figures and Dryden conducted the research and wrote the bios. While it was challenging narrowing down the list to 26 individuals, their goal was to reflect a diverse sense of creativity. Most of the builds show the figures in a position doing something with a creative tool, whether it is Serena and Venus Williams playing tennis or Gordon Parks with a camera. 
The words and the bricks work in tandem with each other. Dryden shared, “The contributions of our Awesome Black Creatives are for everyone. The celebration of them through the medium of LEGO is a way for kids and adults to see accomplished individuals who look like them in a product that is starting to reflect diversity through a broader spectrum of Black and Brown skin tones.” 
In partnership with Kaleta and Dryden, DuPage Children’s Museum designed and developed the traveling exhibition so this experience can take place in a variety of settings across the country. ABC is innovative and informative – Kaleta stated, “Awesome Black Creativity is not just about amazing LEGO® builds, but it's about the people who helped build our culture.” Now,  Library guests, the next wave of innovators, can take inspiration from the historic figures to tell their own stories.
The Library will be offering additional programs during this time- 
LEGO® Showcase for Kids  Register 
Main Library Lobby
Tuesday, January 21,  4 – 5 pm https://attend.gailborden.info/event/12493289
Thursday, February 6, 4 – 5 pm https://attend.gailborden.info/event/12493289
Do you have a LEGO® creation that you would like to showcase? Participants will have an opportunity to say a few words about their projects to an audience, and stand by their projects for the program to answer questions.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Special Program Register https://attend.gailborden.info/event/12678157
Main Library
Monday, January 20,1 pm
Please join the builders of Awesome Black Creativity, Dave Kaleta and Richard Dryden. Kaleta and Dryden appeared on LEGO Masters in 2021. They will discuss the inspiration behind their artistry. In addition, they will explain the process of selecting the 27-figures that celebrate contemporary and historical Black creatives across disciplines such as contemporary dance, photography, music, film, culinary arts, activism, and more. Young people and their families are welcome to participate in our brick-building workshop.
To learn more, please visit www.gailborden.info.
©2025 The LEGO Group. The LEGO® logo, and the brick and knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. This exhibit is not authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by the LEGO Group.
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About DuPage Children’s Museum
DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) nurtures joyful discovery and learning by inspiring curiosity, creativity, and problem solving through STEAM play. DCM continues to reach new audiences and change lives by expanding access to immersive exhibit experiences and community-based playful learning programs. Authentic partnerships embedded in communities statewide extend the Museum’s impact across cultural, financial, and educational boundaries. With more than 35 years of experience, DCM strives to ensure that all children thrive through access to extraordinary learning experiences. The Museum is located at 301 N. Washington Street in Naperville. dupagechildrens.org
About Dave Kaleta
Dave Kaleta is a native of Chicago and a life-long south sider. He studied art education and early childhood education and teaches kindergarten at The University of Chicago Laboratory School. His interest in LEGO began as a child, with an early set gifted from his mother. He has explored LEGO throughout his life having his work published in anthologies and displayed in museums around the world. He lives with his wife and son in Hyde Park with a full LEGO studio in their home."
About Richard Dryden
Richard Dryden is a writer and DJ, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Being immersed in NYC's oasis of art, music, and fashion, he pursued a career in media. Richard's credits include Complex, The FADER, AFROPUNK, Office, VICE, LargeUp, Okayplayer, and Mass Appeal. Under his DJ Treats moniker, he played fundraiser events for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, museum & art galleries in NYC, and a magical wedding reception featured in VOGUE.
His hobby of building LEGO® sets motivated him to write about LEGO®, which introduced him to a global community of LEGO artists, which included Dave Kaleta. Their friendship bloomed through the production of LEGO Masters in 2021. Their dynamic collaboration continued through the Awesome Black Creativity project.
About the Gail Borden Public Library:
The Gail Borden Public Library District is "fueled by the power of community."  Because of its impact working with many partners, the library has been recognized numerous times, including the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an American library.  With numerous literary resources and exciting exhibits like dinosaurs, space and Awesome Black Creativity, the library strives to engage people of all ages through education, recreation and creativity.