[Archived] Puppet MakerFEST 2018

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2018

The National Capital Puppetry Guild in collaboration with The Office of the Arts will present Puppet MakerFEST 2018 on Saturday, October 20 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.  

Entrance ticket allows you to attend one of the two main puppet shows of “Matt's BIG Crankie Show” by Matt Muirhead, from Baltimore, MD, 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 www.Alexandriava.gov/Arts scroll down to Durant Arts Center.

Three (3) puppet making workshops will also be 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:  

• Workshop 1 – Activity # 255211.19  
  Ages 2 to 8:  11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Simply puppet making workshop. Create your own puppet friend to take home. Workshop begins at 11 a.m.  Puppet show will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.

• Workshop 2 – Activity # 255211.20  
  Ages 8 to 12: 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Have you ever wanted to know how to make a marionette? National Capital Puppetry Guild President, Jeff Bragg, will lead you through the creation of your very own marionette from a stuffed toy. 

• Workshop 3 – Activity # 255211.21  
  Infant to 2: 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 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.

The Durant Arts Center is managed by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Office of the Arts. 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.