Big Shadow Puppets

Project Details by Fiscal Year
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Status
Completed
Activity Type
Education/Outreach/Engagement
Counties Affected
Itasca
Lake
St. Louis
Itasca
Lake
St. Louis
Project Overview

129 children, college students, and adults were exposed to a new art form by making big shadow puppets and producing a puppet show for 271 people at 6 public libraries and 1 community college.

Children used big cardboard boxes to draw and cut out shadow puppets working under the guidance of Jim Ouray, a Duluth puppeteer. The shadow puppet program was a 2-day program at 3 libraries; a 3-day program at 1 library; a 4-day program at 2 libraries, and a 5-day program at 1 library. Each program included a workshop on making the puppets and a final performanace.

63 children, 43 college students, 23 adults participated in the workshop at 6 libraries and 1 community college.

271 people attended the final performance at each library.

Project Details

Event Dates and Locations: March through June, 2010 Activities held at Gilbert, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, Buhl, Ely, Grand Rapids, and Silver Bay Partner Organization(s): The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and Hibbing Community College

Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program:
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council recommended and provided contact inform for the workshop leader.
The Hibbing Community College provided the Space Theater at no charge for the workshop and the performance.

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, post-test; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.

Measurable Outcome(s)
  • After the show at the Hoyt Lakes Library, one boy commented that "he was very sad it was done." He said that he enjoyed the creativity and "being part of a group that worked together so well."
  • At the Buhl Library, the staff noticed the kids were learning independent thinking and respect for themselves and others. This was shown through their behavior toward each other of helping each other with their puppets. When they realized that an observer might not be able to come to the public program, several of the kids got their puppets and asked if they could put on their partially completed show for the observer.
  • The Ely Library show was organized differently.  The public show was first and then the puppet making.  Many people expressed disappointment in the show.  However, the children that stayed to make the puppets learned new skills. One parent told the librarian later, "My child has set up a small puppet theater in our basement after making some shadow puppets at the workshop."
  • At Grand Rapids, "parents were raving about the experience".  Comments included: "Wow, he really knows what he's doing!"  "What a great experience for our kids!"  "I would never have believed that my son could do this!"
  • At Silver Bay, children commented, "I learned how all of our parts could make one story."  "I learned how to put music to my drawings from homemade music things."
Administered By
Administered by
Location

1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville, MN 55113-4266

Phone
651-582-8200