Iconic Joplin Awards Ceremony to be Held in June
Joplin, MO – The public is welcome to attend the Iconic Joplin Awards Ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, June 8th from 5:30-7 p.m. at 202 South Joplin Avenue in Joplin.
Awards to be presented include People’s Choice for the public’s favorite; Technical for best authentic reproduction or technical build; Creativity for most innovative design and/or use of bricks; and Storytelling for the team that best relates history through their build.
In celebration of Joplin’s 150th Birthday, six teams of teens collaborated to build local landmarks out of LEGO bricks.
Iconic Joplin builds include: the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout; Crystal Cave; Grand Falls; Joplin Public Library (20th & Connecticut); Joplin Union Depot; and the Olivia Apartments. Each creative build highlights unique features of the landmarks and their histories. Teams received expert assistance and/or behind-the-scenes tours from historians, architects, engineers, and LEGO gurus.
The People’s Choice award will be presented to the team that receives the most votes.
Voting is open through June 1, 2023 at https://tally.so/r/3q4lK7.
Jurists for the Technical, Creativity, and Storytelling Awards include:
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Leslie Simpson, who served as director of Joplin’s Post Art Library from 1982 to 2015 and contributed significant research about Joplin’s historic buildings through her books, articles, documentaries and presentations. She now resides in St. Louis.
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Blaine Ladymon, AIA, RID, NCARB, LEED, AP, a Dallas native who is a recognized leader in the field of Architecture & Interior Design for innovation and creativity. Building backyard forts and LEGO creations as a child kick-started Ladymon’s love for architecture. Passion for the brick has led him to serve as the guest curator with the AD EX in Dallas, where he spreads the message that LEGO teaches and inspires architecture and construction.
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Manny Garcia, who teamed up with his father Lestor as LEGO Master Season 1 contestants. Under the name “Son and Father BFF” the duo from Bethlehem, PA created unforgettable builds such as Alien Planet, Timmy the Monkey and Rusty Trails in Space. Garcia is the founder of Get into Building (GIB).
During the awards event, all builds will be on display for viewing. This is a free, open house style event, with remarks at 6:00pm. The presenting sponsor for the Awards Ceremony is Neal Group Construction. Refreshments provided by Post Art Library.