[Archived] The National Capital Puppetry Guild and Office of the Arts Presents Inaugural Puppet Makerfest 2017

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2017

The National Capital Puppetry Guild in collaboration with The Office of the Arts, will present a Puppet MakerFEST 2017, on Saturday, October 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St. Master puppeteers will hold puppet-making workshops and host puppet shows throughout the day.  The Puppet MakerFest is collaboration between the National Capital Puppetry Guild and the Office of the Arts.

Entrance ticket allows you to attend one of the two puppet shows of “Trickster Tales” by Barefoot Puppets, Richmond, VA along with experiencing the Puppet Petting Zoo and other puppetry displays in the lobby.  Bring your creative ideas for a puppet you wish to create.

Children 2 years and younger are FREE. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult. To purchase entrance ticket visit http://bit.ly/2vSKXRd

Four (4) puppet making workshops are offered throughout the day.  If you wish to add on a workshop, the cost is $5 per builder and per adult, per workshop.  One puppet per child, however, children must be accompanied by at least one adult. To make your workshop reservations online, visit www.alexandriava.gov/webtrac, select activity number:  

• Ages 2- 8. Simply puppet making workshop. Create your own puppet friend to take home.  The workshop begins at 11 a.m.   Puppet show will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.
  • 255211-09 – Puppet MakerFEST – Workshop 1 – Rooms 3 and 4, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
    
• Ages 8-12. Have you ever wished of owning a marionette? National Capital Puppetry Guild President, Jeff Bragg, will lead you through the creation of your very own marionette from a stuffed toy. 
  • 255211-10 – Puppet MakerFEST – Workshop 2 – Room 2, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 255211-11 – Puppet MakerFEST – Workshop 3 – Room 2, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
    
• Not to worry if your child is too young to make a puppet.  Make a memory and help your child create their first puppet.  UpCycle Creative Reuse Center representatives will help participants select reuse materials from the Tinker Time carts to design and create their own sock puppets. Socks provided; 1 sock per paid participant.
  • 255211-13 – Puppet MakerFEST – Workshop 4 – Room 5, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The Durant Arts Center is managed by the Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. For additional information contact Cheryl Anne Colton at 703.746.5565, cherylane.colton@alexandriava.gov or visit alexandriava.gov/Arts. 

For additional information about the National Capital Puppetry Guild, contact Jeff Bragg at 703.424.5553 or emailpuppetimes@gmail.com.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.