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Puppets always capture the imagination, especially Parade Puppets, which can be 2, 3, or even 4 times the size of a human! Welcome to puppet making like no other! Cooperating with other students, we’ll construct masterpieces for a grand performance. Puppets in parades have a long history, from the Dragon puppets used to celebrate the Chinese New Year to the upside-down Marionettes in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and now our group in downtown Pittsfield! In this program, each student will sculpt a large puppet head and then mount the head onto a wooden frame which we will load into a harness. We'll build some hands on rods and connect them together with fabric arms, creating marching giants sure to fascinate and delight our audience.
At the end of the program, students will have a practice puppet show for family and friends on BAC's lawn. BAC will then hold onto each student's puppet for safekeeping so that our group can participate in Pittsfield's Annual 4th of July Parade (on Saturday, 7/4/26)! All puppets will go home with students that day.
(Note: Students unavailable to march in the parade can opt to have their puppet operated by another student. Their puppet will then be available for pickup at BAC following the parade).
Each student is required to have a current Health and Emergency Contact Form on file with Berkshire Art Center. Please fill out a Health Form for each child that will be attending a BAC program. Health Forms are due as soon as possible at the time of registration and no later than one week before a program begins. Please ensure you have your child’s insurance information ready when filling out the form.
ACCESSIBILITY
NOTE: This class will be held in Berkshire Art Center’s 3D Studio at Citizens’ Hall, Stockbridge. Our 3D Studio is located on the second floor of the building so stair use is required. In addition, restrooms are located on the basement level of our building so stair use is also required.
For all classes held at Citizens’ Hall in Stockbridge, please note our historic building has narrow doorways and is not equipped with an elevator. Our bathrooms, ceramics studio, and 3D studio are accessible via stairs only. We welcome and make every effort to accommodate learners of all styles and abilities. Please contact us if you have questions about accessibility to our building and classes before registering!
Don't let the price of tuition stop you from making art!
Berkshire Art Center provides scholarships based on financial need, discounts to EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders, and opportunities for work exchange.
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