STAMFORD — Young artists will have an opportunity this summer to create oversized puppets and bring them to life in a public performance as part of a hands-on workshop offered by the Roxbury Arts Group.
The Kids’ Large Puppetmaking Intensive, scheduled for July 8-9 and July 15 at the Headwaters Arts Center in Stamford, will guide participants ages 10 and older through the process of designing and constructing large-scale puppets using materials including cardboard, papier-mâché, wood and wire.
The workshop culminates with a public procession during Stamford’s annual Porchfest Music + Arts festival on July 18, giving participants the chance to showcase their creations before the community.
Led by Catskills artist Anne Gohorel, the program combines visual arts, craftsmanship and performance. Participants will spend two mornings building puppets that can be worn, pulled on wagons or mounted on wheels, followed by a rehearsal session devoted to finishing details and preparing for the festival appearance.
No previous experience in puppetmaking or performance is required.
Gohorel, who has lived in the Catskills since 1988, is known for her exploration of traditional crafts and regional folk art. Her work has drawn inspiration from travels across the United States, where she has studied the creative traditions of artisans ranging from potters and printmakers to musicians and glassblowers.
Her current projects include painted cardboard mosaics, hand-sewn textile works and a full-scale cardboard recreation of an antique store window planned for a future exhibition at Headwaters Arts Center.
The intensive will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on July 8 and 9, with a rehearsal session from 9 a.m. to noon on July 15 at Headwaters Arts Center, 66 Main St., Stamford. Registration is offered on a tiered pricing scale of $25, $40 or $65.
For more information or to register, visit roxburyartsgroup.org
