Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Fun! Press release here:
Giant Puppet Workshop Launches New Asheville Puppet Space
Asheville Puppet Club began three years ago when local artist/performer Grayson Morris saw a need to foster emerging puppetry artists with a regular place to explore ideas and skills. It started as a monthly meeting in her home in Montford Park but has now grown to include a Giant Puppet branch called Street Creature and an official home at the North Asheville Community Center.
The opportunity for a permanent space arose when Street Creature brought their large and lively puppets to the Asheville Holiday Parade last November. Allison Dains from the Asheville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department saw their 50 foot long dragon (made primarily of Ingles’ bags) dancing in the street and handed them her card saying she’d like to work with the group.
In April Puppet Club/Street Creature moved into the North Asheville Community Center where they have a storage room and access to the large community room every Thursday.
“A lot of people don’t have room in their homes to make large art projects. We want to let people to know that this is a resource for puppeteers of all levels to come make things.” said Jennifer Murphy, a local artist and teacher. “We decided to host a summer “Drop-In Puppet Build” to make it as easy as possible to check us out and use the space.”
Artists, puppeteers, teachers, activists and other creative folks are invited to come in to build their own giant puppet or help with ongoing projects through August 31st. No experience necessary.
They are offering more formal training in an upcoming weekend workshop “Learn to Build Giant Puppets”. It will be held July 10th to the 13th at the center. Participants will learn how to transform simple materials into larger than life characters and make something dramatic, visually powerful and fun they could use for an event, performance or demonstration. It is open to teens and adults and costs 75.00 per person.
WHAT: Learn to Build Giant Puppets Workshop
WHEN: Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, drops in welcome
WHERE: North Asheville Commmunity Center
37 East Larchmont Ave. (behind Asheville Pizza)
WHO: Asheville Puppet Club and Street Creature
To register go to: eventbrite.com/e/giant-puppet-building-workshop-tickets-11897352301
or find the link on the Facebook page: Facebook.com/puppetclubasheville
