The Central Ohio Lego Train Club used about 15,000 legos to construct the Moyer Judicial Center.

The Central Ohio Lego Train Club used about 15,000 legos to construct the Moyer Judicial Center.

A replica of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center is on display at the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) as part of its Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO exhibit.

The Central Ohio LEGO Train Club constructed the Moyer Judicial Center for the CMA’s annual display, which features the club’s LEGO brick version of Columbus that comprises real and imagined landmarks from across the city.

The club’s president Paul Janssen said the entire project was built during a 10-year period, though the newest creations were assembled only a few months ago.  He said nearly 1 million LEGO bricks went into the venture with 15,000 pieces used to build the Moyer Judicial Center.

“We were making many buildings from downtown, and it is an interesting building so I decided to make [the Moyer Judicial Center] after I finished 4-5 taller buildings,” Janssen said.

Janssen said he took pictures and looked up images of the Moyer Judicial Center to construct the building and didn’t use any blueprints. He said it took him around 40 hours to construct the building, though 10 club members contributed to the entire downtown Columbus project.

 “It’s a fun hobby for adults. You can have a creative outlet and you can build small or big, so it’s very versatile,” Janssen said.

The exhibit runs through January 25, 2015, at the museum.

“We hope the visitors see that the LEGO bricks can be used by adults for fun and as an art medium,” Janssen said. “Most of all, we hope the visitors enjoy their time at our display, whether it be to marvel at the artistic aspect or by bringing back good childhood memories. In addition, we hope it may inspire more people to take on our hobby.”

Call CMA at 614.221.4848 for more information about the LEGO exhibit, and, if inspired, the Central Ohio LEGO Train Club is always looking for new club members.