Milwaukee is the land of Cream City brick, but for one dynamic building duo, siblings Paul Wellington and Nealita Nelson, their calling came in the form of an entirely different type of brick. Third-place finalists in Season 4 of the FOX hit show “Lego Masters,” Paul and Nealita got to showcase their talents on the big stage and build Milwaukee up as a hub for creative thinkers and innovative spirits.
Paul Wellington is a “LEGO Masters” finalist, Milwaukee Public Library Social Media Manager and author from Milwaukee. With a knack for ideas, he co-founded MKE Black and Bronze Box, which both support the city's Black community by promoting local businesses, events and culture throughout the city. As a UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning graduate, Paul uses his background to build micro cityscapes and commissions with LEGO. Paul currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and two kids.
In addition to being a third-place finisher on Fox’s “LEGO Masters” Season 4, Nealita teaches LEGO classes in Milwaukee, fueling the creative inspiration and LEGO-building passion of the next generation as she makes a positive impact on her community. She also works as a sterile processing tech at a local hospital.
We got a chance to sit down with this brother-sister building tandem to talk about their experience on “LEGO Masters,” what sparks their brick creativity, their perfect day in Milwaukee and so much more. LEGO!
If you had 24 hours in Milwaukee and you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?
Paul Wellington: In the morning, grab a bite for breakfast at the Downer Ave. Café Hollander on the East Side before taking a walk around Lake Park. In the afternoon, explore a collection of black-owned businesses inside Sherman Phoenix Marketplace as you shop around the 25 vendors housed inside a sprawling space that was once a bank. As the afternoon gives way to the evening, swing by Mobay Café for dinner before heading to Fiserv Forum for a Bucks game or American Family Field for a Brewers game (though, if I had to choose between the two, I’d say a Bucks game). After the game, head over to 3rd Street Market Hall for a celebratory post-game drink, snack or treat.
What is a building, attraction or structure in Milwaukee that you'd like to LEGO-ify next and why?
PW: I always wanted to build the Milwaukee Central Library, which I accomplished! If I had to choose another building, I would love to replicate either the Milwaukee City Hall or Northwestern Mutual Tower. I find the angles and curves of both buildings challenging to recreate with LEGO, but they would make for a great build.
Nealita Nelson: Fiserv Forum! The Bucks winning the championship has fostered an environment where new businesses are opening, more visitors are coming to the city to see the team play, and major events are coming to town! The Bucks are very active within the Milwaukee community as well, so it really just shows how a simple game of basketball can really bring everyone together.
Visit Milwaukee's new brand hinges on three words: Fresh. Flavor. Forward. When thinking about the city, what about Milwaukee is fresh, flavor and forward?
PW: For Fresh, I’d say Harley-Davidson, flavor would be Milwaukee as the City of Festivals, with Juneteenth, Brady Street Days, and the many ethnic festivals that take place all over town, and then forward would focus on Deer District, Summerfest, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
NN: The style, ideas and unique creativity that everyone contributes to Milwaukee helps us stay fresh. In terms of flavor, there are so many great restaurants here that fit the needs of everyone’s taste buds. We have a wide variety of food choices from Midwest-only spots, small businesses and food trucks! Also, we still have food markets all over the city to help bring affordable nutrition to our community. We are moving forward by fixing up our community and bringing more black-owned businesses to Milwaukee. In terms of buildings or even road enhancements, we have been migrating to a more modern way of building. Especially downtown, the buildings bring a more welcoming feel.
Thinking about the continued evolution of Milwaukee, how do you feel it has changed, and what do you see on the horizon for the city?
PW: The revitalization of downtown, beginning with the Fiserv Forum and Deer District, has really transformed Milwaukee. As someone who frequented Grand Avenue Mall on Wisconsin Avenue, I find it amazing to see the space come to life again, such as the 3rd Street Market Hall. I'm excited for the continued transformation of downtown (such as the construction of the new public museum), as well as neighborhoods around the city.
NN: Milwaukee has evolved over the past 25 years significantly. Now, downtown is booming with thriving businesses. For the city, I see more people in our community becoming role models and positive examples of how to elevate and move our city forward, with tons of programs and events geared to help those in need. I feel like now, more than ever, all eyes are on Milwaukee. There’s so much talent here: artists, athletes, comedians, chefs, and so on. Milwaukee is going to thrive even more.
What was your favorite part about being on “LEGO Masters?”
PW: There were several things I enjoyed on “LEGO Masters.” I had a great time meeting the other contestants and learning so many useful techniques from them. I also had a great time reconnecting with my sister. We hadn't spent that much time together, so it was a great way to rekindle our relationship.
NN: My favorite part about being on “LEGO Masters” was, of course, building LEGO. Also, making new connections and rekindling the relationship with my brother that we had when we were kids.
Nealita, you recently showed off your skills at the Visit Milwaukee tradeshow booth at Connect Marketplace. What was that experience like for you? Is there anything you were surprised about or anything you particularly enjoyed?
NN: I had so much fun at the Connect Marketplace building the newly expanded Baird Center! I was very nervous at first because Randall and I had never built together before. Nor have I ever done a live build before (besides the show), so this was my first time. This really just inspired me to recreate buildings/ memories from the old and new Milwaukee! I was surprised by the event as a whole. It was very well organized, and everyone was really nice! I really enjoyed building, networking, and showing off our skills!
Do you have any advice for readers who are interested in getting into the LEGO-building world? Is there anything that surprised you, you feel is misunderstood, or you wish people knew about the craft?
PW: A lot of people think LEGO is just for kids, but in recent years, that narrative has started to change. Thanks to the help of “LEGO Masters” and conventions, a lot of adults and seniors have started building their first sets (including my wife). A lot of people feel that they're unable to build beyond sets. By modifying a small portion of a set and adding a personal twist, you're well on your way to creating an original build.
NN: My advice would be if LEGO is something you genuinely enjoy, always come back to it no matter how long it has been. Show off your work online, be open to critiques and criticism and don’t be discouraged! The more you build, the better you will become. Also, the biggest thing that I have learned is that LEGO isn’t just for kids or for “nerds.” Everyone literally can enjoy it together.
Explore Paul and Nealita’s favorite spots around the city in the most recent edition of Milwaukee Made
