Here Come the Puppets!

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An interactive exhibition for the whole family!

Sawtooth School for Visual Art proudly presents Here Come the Puppets, an exhibition in the school’s Eleanor and Egbert Davis Gallery from Saturday, June 8 through Saturday, July 20, 2024.

A gallery show in “three acts,” Sawtooth’s lively exhibition features artworks on display from various decades and cultures, a hands-on makerspace for all ages, along with workshops and activities culminating in a puppet-filled parade with the Library on July 20, 2024.

This show is presented in collaboration with the Forsyth County Public Library to encourage learning, creativity, and literacy skills through summer reading and the wonderful world of puppetry arts.

Sawtooth’s Eleanor and Egbert Davis Gallery is open to the public, and admission is free. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sawtooth thanks the many community partners who helped to make this programming possible: the exhibiting artists, Terry Schupbach-Gordon, the Forsyth County Public Library, the Art SHAC, Kaleideum, GreeNest, Bookmarks, and Little Theatre of Winston-Salem.

Here Come the Puppets is primarily inspired by Puppets One Ought to Know: An ABECEDARIUM in Three Acts, a handmade letterpress artist book by Terry Schupbach-Gordon celebrating puppets, theaters, and artists from all over the world. In keeping with the exhibition’s inspiration, Here Come the Puppets is divided into three “acts”: a gallery exhibition, a hands-on, interactive makerspace with accompanying workshops, and a story time and play area hosting events throughout the summer with the Forsyth County Public Library.

“Act I” highlights pages and illustrations from Schupbach-Gordon’s book alongside puppets and props from renowned artists and institutions spanning various decades and cultures. “Act I” features artwork and puppets by Grey Seal Puppets, Sandbank Shadow Factory, John Bowhers, Flannery Holton, DiVitto and Andrea Kelly, Martina Moore, Sara Reinthaler, Terry Schupbach-Gordon, and international pieces on loan from the Lam Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University.

“Act II” transforms a significant portion of the gallery into a dedicated all-ages puppet makerspace, where you can find supplies and directions to design your own wondrous puppet friends. Written guidance is provided so you can drop in and create an imaginative puppet any time during regular gallery hours.

“Act III” features a performative play area where kids can act out their own stories with their puppets in the starring role. “Act III” will also host a series of Puppet Storytimes at Sawtooth with Forsyth County librarians and storytelling workshops with artists Terry Schupbach-Gordon and Alice Shupe. Open to all ages.

Sawtooth is also hosting over thirty puppet and adventure-themed workshops all summer long for kids and adults alike. Create Papier-mâché puppets, wooden adventure whistles, elaborate mixed-media masks, a hand-bound adventure log, and more in workshops across Sawtooth’s eleven studios. Scroll down to see the full list and register today.

CELEBRATE SUMMER READING WITH US AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY!

We’ll be at the Forsyth County Central Library (660 W. Fifth St.) on Friday, June 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for their Summer Reading Kickoff event! Come say hello, learn about our summer activities–including puppetry workshops and storytime events in tandem with our exhibition–and participate in fun, hands-on activities!

Learn more

DON'T MISS THE PUPPET PARADE!

You’re invited to a Puppet Parade with Sawtooth School for Visual Art, Catbird (on the Yadkin) Press, and the Forsyth County Public Library as we celebrate the conclusion of Here Come the Puppets.

Saturday, July 20 starting at 10 a.m. Parade moves from Central Library to Sawtooth around 11:20 a.m., activities continue at Sawtooth until 12:30 p.m.

Children and families will meet at the Central Library to make puppets and enjoy story time before parading to Sawtooth for more making, letterpress cranking, and exhibit viewing. Bring your craftiest costumes, streamers, and of course, puppets!

Full schedule and sign-up information is available at the link below.

March with us