News file photo Carol Shafto holds a decoration she built out of LEGO that is displayed in her home in Alpena.

ALPENA – Carol Shafto, mayor of Legoland, will display her impressive Lego collection for the public during May and June 2026 at the Thunder Bay Arts Gallery located at 127 W Chisholm Street in downtown Alpena. The Thunder Bay Arts Gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. displaying the artwork of 20 local artists.

Shafto is a lifelong local girl. She grew up in Onaway and attended Alpena Community College, graduating in 1965 and was named Distinguished Graduate for 2003. She was a member of the United States Air Force, then graduated from Oakland University in 1970. Carol became a nationally certified planner (AICP) and worked as Planning and Evaluation Director for NEMCSA (Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency) for 38 years, writing grants, teaching and training grant writers, and evaluating programs across 22 counties of Northern Michigan. Volunteering with the City of Alpena’s Planning Commission for eight years led to 12 years on the Alpena City Council and a four-year term as mayor, retiring in 2011. She became involved in the Michigan Municipal League which represents over 500 Michigan cities and was President of the MML Board, receiving their highest honor of Lifetime Member.

She is also proud to have been named a National Environmental Hero for her work leading to the designation of Thunder Bay as a National Marine Sanctuary in 2000 where she still serves on the Advisory Council and the Friends Board. She was designated Citizen of the Year by Alpena Chamber of Commerce in 2011.

She has two children and two grandchildren. Carol always loved Legos, first purchasing them for her children. She began collecting and building in earnest after she retired. She estimates she has over 200,000 pieces and dozens of sets. A world traveler, Shafto first concentrated on places she has visited. Her passion is architecture and bridges which makes up half of her works ranging from the Eiffel Tower and Roman Colosseum to Neuschwanstein Castle, the

Great Pyramid at Gaza, the Taj Mahal and Notre Dame. Nationally her collection includes the Statue of Liberty, the Capital Building and the White House and many others. She also collects flowers and botanical arrangements and has over 125 whimsical Brickheadz. She says she doesn’t drink, smoke or gamble but has an addiction to little plastic bricks! She was featured in a full page spread in the Alpena News in March 2024, headlined “Mayor of Legoland”. She looks forward to sharing some of the best of her collection with the community as the upcoming Thunder Bay Arts featured artist for May and June 2026.