About the series
The three workshops are designed to assist in the basics of puppet making and to encourage aspirating puppeteers to begin to create their own original work. The workshops will take place at The Long Grass Studio and Workshop. The Long Grass Studio is a purpose-built studio dedicated to the design, crafting and construction of Puppets – a true gem in Western Canada.
These workshops will tackle several aspects and techniques, which will assist the emerging puppet artist to begin their own journey into puppetry with confidence. You will not leave with a complete puppet after each workshop, but with the basic knowledge to start your own practice.
Artists will be required to present proof of Covid19 vaccination or documentation of a medical exemption, in order to register in these workshops. Masks will be worn during the class.
This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Juanita in a small group setting.
Workshop # 1: Simple Puppet Head / Small Mask
Duration: Three 5-Hour Days
February 5, 12 & 13, 2022
Noon – 5 pm each day
Fee: $395
Class Capacity: 5
Register online
Includes: All instruction, materials, Pick up at 69th St. C-Train Stn. if needed
The face of the puppet is often the heart of the puppet. The face often assists to define the character of the puppet and let’s “face it”, that is what everyone starting out in puppetry wants to do first. The first workshop will be over two classes as drying times are needed between each step.
Class #1
In this first class we will cover a brief synopses on the making of puppets. Facial construction and how to create a character.
We will get our hands in the clay early as there is no better way of learning than getting your hands dirty.
We will begin by making a simple face out of clay then creating a one piece mould from plaster. Once this step is done we will need to let it dry for a few days. This one piece mould will create the front of your puppet face.
During that week I will cast your head in flexible slip and have one cast ready for you to work with the next class. Your mold will have a second cast ready to be pulled out by you in the second class so that you can learn the fun of pulling out a cast.
Class #2
We begin the second class by pulling your cast/puppet head out of the mould.
With the cast that was pulled earlier by myself, you will learn how to anchor a rod into your puppet head. This will include working with wood and a few power tools. No need to worry if you have never used power tools, we will provide much guidance. The back of the head will then be filled in with paper-mache.
Class #3
In our final session we will address the finishing, painting and hair. All the fun stuff!
At the end of the workshop you will have two copies/casts of your puppet head and lots of ideas on how to move forward with your own designs.
No previous experience is needed.
Workshop # 2: Hands
Duration: One 5-Hour Day
April 19
Noon – 5pm
Fee: $165
Class Capacity: 5
Register online
Includes: All instruction, materials, Pick up at C-Train Stn. if needed
A one class journey into various techniques on how to tackle making a hand.
Hands are often a barrier to the novice puppet maker and with good reason. Hands are a miracle of movement and they are what makes us top of the food chain.
We will explore making hands with a few different readily available materials; Wire, Paper Mache, and Worbla.
At the end of the class you should have at least one hand (or hopefully a pair) finished to take home.
No previous experience is needed.
Workshop # 3: Joints
Duration: One 5-Hour Day
June 4
Noon – 5pm
Fee: $165
Class Capacity: 5
Register online
Includes: All instruction, materials, Pick up at C-Train Stn. if needed
A one class exploration of jointing a puppet.
Awe…joints! The most important aspect in distinguishing a doll from a puppet. The “bones” of the puppet if you will.
One class will only get you started on this vast craft. Joints can be made in so many different ways but in this class we will focus on joints that are accessible to the new builders. We will be working with wood and therefore with some power tools and hand tools.
I will have many joints available to look at and play with and aspiring puppet artists will go home with at least one well-crafted puppet joint.
No previous experience is needed.
Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry
© 2017 Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry
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In the spirit of reconciliation, Canadian Academy of Mask and Puppetry acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani). We would also like to acknowledge the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations(Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley), the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all of us who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.