Hand and Rod Puppets After School at South of 60 Art Gallery

I'm exited to share that I will be teaching a 3 week after school program at the South of 60 Art Gallery in Barry's Bay, Ontario this fall!

Here's the outline of what I'll be up to with the kids:

For: 3 week session

Title: Simple Hand and Rod Puppets

Supplies:

Medium Styrofoam balls (for the head)

Plaster bandages (to cover the head and hand)

Wire (to shape the hand)

Couch foam ( make hands for younger kids)

Small piece of material

Small Dowels (for the head and arm control)

glue

paint in a variety of colours

brushes

bits of yarn, feathers (to make hair)

Scissors

Participants will be encouraged after the first class (once they have an idea of their character) to bring things they find, or have at home to decorate their puppet, as well as a scrap piece of material or old small shirt for their puppet.

I will be bringing a supply of material and couch foam as well as bits of yarn and other odds and ends to inspire their sense of play with their creation.

For the 6-8 year olds I will be pre-making the base layer for the heads, adding the neck post and cutting out the hands.

Breakdown of the project

During this 3 week session, participants will learn how to make a simple hand and rod puppet. This type of puppet has one hand controlling the head, and one hand controlling the arm, using rods of some kind (the majority of the muppets are made this way). I will be bringing with me a few sample puppets.

First week: Making the head and hand. This involves covering the Styrofoam ball with a layer of plaster bandage and shaping a basic nose. Adding the neck dowel.

Second Week: Painting the head and hand, gluing the neck and hand to the material. Adding hand dowel.

Third Week: Adding finishing touches and learning basic manipulation techniques. Playing with the puppets!

Thanks again for the opportunity, I'm looking forward to it!

Megan