RICHMOND — Nathan Sawaya went from being a lawyer to a certified Lego builder with 10 million bricks in his studio, ordering a quarter million bricks every month to work on his art.

“It’s been a dream come true,” Sawaya said. “Creating art out of Legos made me happy.”

Sawaya has studios in New York and Los Angeles and travels the world showcasing his art, which includes large-scale sculptures.

His work shows how building bricks and sets are no longer just for children. Lego’s popularity has significantly increased in recent years, according to the company . Consumer sales increased 12% last year.

Lego recently expanded its footprint around the globe. That includes the 1.7- million-square-foot Lego factory in Chesterfield County. It will open in 2027 along with a distribution center i

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