For Immediate Release: September 9, 2025
This beautiful, inspirational exploration of art and nature is set to open September 2025
Columbia, SC, September 9, 2025 — Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience in the Botanical Garden with the award-winning, record-breaking exhibition, Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO® Bricks. This acclaimed traveling exhibition features awe-inspiring, larger-than-life sculptures crafted from millions of toy blocks, inviting guests to explore themes such as animal endangerment, the balance of ecosystems, and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
From September 14, 2025, to February 20, 2026, guests will have an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and the artistry of the sculptures, sparking inspiration to create their own masterpieces at home. The exhibition, produced by Imagine, has visited nearly 100 cities worldwide and is celebrated for its ability to surprise and delight guests of all ages.
Produced by Imagine, Nature Connects reflects important topics that Amsterdam based artist Sean Kenney holds dear, from protecting animal habitats and planting gardens to choosing sustainable transportation. The exhibition highlights how everything in nature is interconnected in a delicate balance.
Riverbanks President and CEO, Tommy Stringfellow, shared, “This exhibit is a fantastic opportunity to share our vision of conservation and environmental protection. With the Saluda Skyride opening almost simultaneously with this exhibit which also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Garden, more and more guests are going to have the opportunity to explore the beauty and wonder of both Riverbanks Zoo and Garden campuses.”
Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine shared, “Imagine is proud to partner with Sean Kenney to bring the creative vision of Nature Connects to Riverbanks. The messages in the exhibition about our connection to nature are beautifully presented and effectively weaved into the story in the hopes of inspiring visitors to think more about mankind’s impact on the greater world around us.”
Come explore the beauty and wonder of Sean Kenney's Nature Connects Made with LEGO® Bricks at Riverbanks, open daily to the public from 9:00am to 5:00pm for a limited engagement through February 20, 2026. Nature Connects is included in the price of daytime admission and membership. Stay connected with Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for news and updates at riverbanks.org.
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About Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is home to more than 3,000 magnificent and fascinating animals and one of America’s best public gardens. The Zoo opened on April 25, 1974, and for over five decades, has connected individuals, families and school children with the natural world. Riverbanks is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in animal care and welfare, education, recreation, science and wildlife conservation. It is the mission of the Zoo and Garden to create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on wildlife and wild places. For more information, visit riverbanks.org.
About Imagine: Imagine (formerly known as Imagine Exhibitions) is a global leader in immersive storytelling and experiential design, specializing in the development of world-class exhibitions and attractions for museums, studios, IPs, brands, and leisure destinations worldwide. Through its four core services—Exhibitions, Studio, Retail, and Operations—Imagine created visitor experiences that entertain, educate, and inspire. Imagine is currently producing, presenting or operating more than 40 unique experiences around the globe, spanning museums, science centers, zoos, botanical gardens, integrated resorts, and non-traditional venues. For details, visit theimagineteam.com.
About Sean Kenney: Sean Kenney is an award-winning artist who uses LEGO pieces as a medium for contemporary sculpture, portraiture, and commercial art. He is recognized as one of the leading experts in the field and is a founding member of several global programs that aim to encourage and support this emerging art form. Millions of people have visited his exhibitions, he has authored 9 children's books, and The LEGO Group collaborated with him as an official partner for 14 years. Sean’s work has been acclaimed by The New York Times, PBS Arts, BBC Arts, and Vogue, and he continues to create every day at his studio in Amsterdam. www.seankenney.com
For Business Related Inquiries Including Hosting the Exhibition
Debbie Donohue | +1.404.808.7578 | ddonohue@imagineexhibitions.com