On January 26, 2012, Lego Man was released from Sarasota’s South County Jail in Venice, Florida, after three months in custody.
Artist and Chalk Festival organizer Denise Kowal of Sarasota bailed him out, and will serve as his guardian with the blessings of Lego Man’s finder, Dennis Hindman.
Ego Leonard, the “official” name of the popular Lego Man, washed ashore on Siesta Beach last October. He’s been sitting in the perp, um, property room at the County Jail since then, waiting for a new home. Sheriff’s officials assure the public that he was well cared for.
The 8-foot tall fiberglass creation ended his swim on Siesta Beach. Although is origin is unknown, he most likely was created by Dutch artist Leon Keer, a participant in Koval’s 2011 Chalk Festival.
Lego Man made the trip to freedom in the back of a pickup truck, inspiring drivers along US 41 to cheer his release and take pictures…or just to wonder what the heck was going on.
Kowal is soliciting input from the community to help determine Lego Man’s next stop. For now, he is just excited to be out of custody and free of any charges.