Who doesn’t love putting together a good LEGO set? Here to share a little more about being a LEGO fan and participant of LUGVegas (LEGO Users Group of Southern Nevada) is Summerlin resident, Art Rossi.
Q: What does it mean to be a LEGO Master?
As much as I strive to reach the goal of LEGO Master, to achieve the official title of LEGO Master you need to win first place on the LEGOMASTERS TV show. In my opinion, the beautiful thing about LEGO is anyone at any age who takes a pile of bricks and pieces, and with their own imagination, creates something special and unique, is a LEGO Master.
Q: You live in Summerlin, correct? Why did you choose Summerlin as your home?
I absolutely love living in Summerlin. Beautiful neighborhoods, great schools, beautiful parks, and great community programs. I actually live walking distance to Downtown Summerlin. This was not an accident. DTS has it all! From movies to sporting events to shopping to whatever food your stomach desires.
Q: For those not familiar with LUGVegas, what is it and where can people go to gather more information?
LUGVegas (LUG stands for Lego Users Group) is a LEGO recognized club of people that absolutely love everything LEGO. Throughout the year we support community events like the St. Jude’s Run and Down Syndrome Festival of Trees. To learn more, you can visit LUGVegas.org
Q: Have you been to the LEGO Store at Downtown Summerlin? If so, what’s your favorite part of the newest LEGO location in Vegas?
I have been to the new LEGO store at DTS. Besides being just a few minutes from my house, the store has a great selection and exclusive sets that are only sold in LEGO stores. They also have a great Pick-A-Brick wall where you can by a variety of parts to make your own creations at home.
Q: What’s the most challenging LEGO set you’ve ever put together? How many pieces and how long did it take you to complete?
The most challenging set I’ve completed made by LEGO is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner set made in 2006 and is 1,197 parts. I bought it about 5 years ago at a garage sale. LEGO did not have sets like this when I was a kid, and it started the addiction for LEGO that I have today. A lot builders in LUGVegas like building sets that have not been created by LEGO. We call these MOC’s (My Own Creation). I would have to say these are the most challenging because you take an idea in your mind and make it reality. Since there are no instructions, it can be challenging and depending on how big your idea is, it can be a lot of parts. My largest build was around 30,000 parts and took months to get everything the way my mind pictured it.
Q: How did you become so passionate about LEGOs?
I realized when I started played with LEGOs, it shut off my brain from all the stresses of adult life and I was able to sleep like a baby. When I realized there was a club in Vegas of fellow AFOL’S (Adult Fan of LEGO) and that there were conventions where you can go and compete with LEGO, my stress relief aid quickly became a passion.
Q: Proudest set you’ve completed to date?
My proudest set to date is a small build, around 60 pieces, I did for a LUGVegas build contest and won. I decided to enter it at BRICKSLOPES which is a big LEGO convention in Sandy, Utah and received a trophy for the Best Small Star Wars Build.
