12-Year-Old Arlo Mesinschi Represents Boston with LEGO Creation

News Summary

Arlo Mesinschi, a talented 12-year-old, has created an impressive LEGO replica of the Boston Tea Party to represent Boston in LEGO’s global Mini Master Model Builder Competition. With over 1,000 LEGO bricks, his intricate model depicts the historic 1773 event where colonists protested British taxation. After winning a regional contest, Arlo’s dedication and creativity will now be showcased at an international level, where he hopes to inspire others through his love for history and storytelling.

Boston, Massachusetts

A 12-year-old boy named Arlo Mesinschi is making waves with his impressive LEGO creation, a replica of the Boston Tea Party, for LEGO’s first global Mini Master Model Builder Competition. After winning the regional contest in March 2023, Arlo will represent Boston at the international level. His model, made from more than 1,000 small LEGO bricks, features underwater scenes, people throwing tea into the harbor, and even a nod to popular culture with a character from SpongeBob Squarepants.

The miniature depiction of the historic 1773 event, where American colonists protested against British taxation by throwing tea into Boston Harbor, showcases Arlo’s dedication and creativity. He spent approximately two months building the model, dedicating one to two days each week at the Somerville LEGO facility from late March to May 31, 2023. Measuring around 10 inches by 20 inches, the project is constructed primarily using 1 x 2 base plates, typical in LEGO terminology.

Arlo’s journey to becoming Boston’s Mini Master Model Builder began after he visited the LEGO Discovery Center in Somerville, where an employee encouraged him to enter the competition. Initially, he created a handmade LEGO figure as his first entry, which impressed the judges and ultimately secured his victory. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Arlo, and his model will soon be sent to the LEGO House in Billund, Denmark, for the global competition against 27 other young regional winners. The winner will be announced in the fall.

Passion for Building

Arlo has been building with LEGO since he was a toddler and has completed over 100 LEGO sets. His fascination with both history and storytelling shines through in his work, as he believes that LEGO can visualize historical events in a creative way. In addition to his passion for building, Arlo enjoys playing video games and spending quality time with his dog, Bruno. However, he decided not to participate in lacrosse this spring to focus on his LEGO project, a sacrifice he and his mother, Lindsay Humphreys, agree has been worthwhile.

Arlo’s model, which features various sea creatures and a character named Arlo in a red shirt, reflects his commitment to his craft. He aspires to become a LEGO master builder, inspired by his mentor, Kaleb Thome. To prepare for his first major competition, he meticulously crafted each detail in his Boston Tea Party model, aiming to convey the significance of the historic event through his creative lens.

Next Steps

The LEGO creation will remain on display at the Somerville facility until it is sent to Denmark after June 30, 2023. This experience not only emphasizes Arlo’s skills as a builder but also serves as an opportunity for young creators around the world to showcase their talents. As he gears up for the international challenge, Arlo hopes to make history in his own right, highlighting the power of imagination and storytelling through the lens of LEGO artistry.

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HERE Resources

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Additional Resources

• Boston Globe: LEGO Master Builder Dover
• Wikipedia: Boston Tea Party
• Boston Globe: Green Book Tour Boston
• Google Search: LEGOs
• Canton Repository: LEGO Exhibit McKinley Museum
• Encyclopedia Britannica: LEGO
• BU News Service: Awaken Your Inner Child at LEGOLAND’s Adult Nights
• Google News: LEGO Competition