Jason Burik is an American Lego artist who builds custom replica models of stadiums, buildings, homes, and other objects like the Pittsburgh Steelers' Terrible Towel. His work has been commissioned by professional sports teams, colleges, companies, and individuals in the United States.
Early life and education
editBorn in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Burik began been building Lego blocks in the seventh grade. His first project was a replica model of his parents' house.[1]
He turned his long-time lego hobby into a business while completing his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County[1] after creating a model of M&T Bank Stadium.[2]
Burik received a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate degree from Capella University.[3]
Career
editBurik is a co-principal in the Montour School District outside of Pittsburgh, PA.[4] He previously served as an assistant superintendent and taught sixth-grade Math, Science, Social Studies, and English at David E. Williams Middle School in Kennedy Township.[5]
After working on many different types of projects, he began teaching Lego building skills to others, leading to the creation of Burik's Lego camps.[5] He was also the co-creator of the world's first Lego "Brick Makerspace" at Montour Elementary School.[6][7]
Burik is a member of Steel City LUG, a Lego User Group for Adult Fans of Lego (AFOLs) in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.[2]
Notable work
editHis work can be seen at the following locations:
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
- HobbyTown USA in Robinson Twp, Pennsylvania
- Bellaire Historic Society and Toy Museum in Bellaire, Ohio
- PNC Park (Pittsburgh Pirates) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, in Baltimore, Maryland
- Panorama Towers in Las Vegas, Nevada
Some of Burik's notable projects include NCAA Final 4 Logos, M&T Bank Stadium, Heinz Field, PNC Park, Camden Yards,[8] Cal Ripken Sr. Yard, Yankee Stadium, Bryant–Denny Stadium, Raven's Stadium, Citizens Bank Park, the City of Pittsburgh, the Terrible Towel,[9] The Pittsburgh Children's Museum, the Pittsburgh Convention Center, the U.S. Capitol, the Empire State Building, and St. Peter's Church.[10]
Burik has been interviewed for television by KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh), WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh), WQED (Pittsburgh), and WJZ (Baltimore), and his work has been featured in newspaper articles in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, The Baltimore Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Pittsburgh Magazine.
References
edit- 1 2 Purvis, Meredith (October 21, 2014). "Lego Legend". umbc.edu. University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Archived from the original on April 22, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- 1 2 Stancil, Mike (June 2014). "More Than a Hobby West Allegheny Magazine". www.alleghenywestmagazine.com. Hughey Publications, LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Dr. Jason Burik". www.montourschools.com. Montour School District. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ April Johnston (September 19, 2018). "Montour Elementary kids make giant Terrible Towel out of Legos". triblive.com. Tribune-Review. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- 1 2 Shea, Lynn (June 18, 2003). "Lego-loving teacher in Montour inspires same mania in his charges, and education ensues". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 25, 2003. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- ↑ Nagel, David (February 26, 2018). "The STEAM-Powered Elementary School: Montour Opens World's First Lego-Themed Brick Makerspace -". thejournal.com. converge360, an 1105 Media Company. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ Aglio, Justin (September 6, 2017). "Creating Tomorrow's Moonshot Thinkers". www.gettingsmart.com. Getting Smart. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ Ordine, Bill (April 4, 2008). "So maybe the Orioles could fill this park". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Terrible Towel Made Of 34K Lego Pieces Completed At STEM Fest". cbsnews.com. KDKA. September 22, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Lego to enhance lessons at Montour Elementary School". post-gazette.com. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
Mr. Burik is a Lego artist who has made creations for Google, Stanford University, Nationwide Insurance, NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA teams and others.