Sonoma Community Center

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S.F. Bay Area Puppeteers Guild Exhibit

July 3 @ 9:00 am – August 3 @ 7:00 pm

Celebrating 70 Years
of SF Bay Area Puppetry

Join us this month for a special exhibition at the Sonoma Community Center’s Gallery 212, celebrating seven decades of puppetry excellence in the San Francisco Bay Area. This exhibition, running throughout the month, will culminate with the Northern California Puppetry Festival, which takes place on August 2nd and 3rd at the Community Center.

This is a unique opportunity to appreciate the intricate artistry and craftsmanship that bring puppets to life. We look forward to welcoming you to this spectacular event!

Join us on Saturday, August 13 from 5-7 PM
for a reception in Gallery 212

Exhibition Highlights:

  1. Local and National Contributions: Discover puppets crafted by talented local artists from the Bay Area as well as renowned puppeteers from across the United States.
  2. Historic Puppets: enjoy the rare items from the Storybook Puppet Theater at Children’s Fairyland in Oakland, California’s oldest puppet theater still in operation, courtesy of puppeteer Randal Metz.
  3. Kevin Menegus Collection: Explore selected pieces from the personal collection and creations of puppeteer Kevin Menegus.
  4. Founders and Early Members: Celebrate the legacy of our founders and early members, including:
    • Ralph Chesse: Creator of early TV’s Brother Buzz Show.
    • Lettie Schubert: Puppeteer for the Brother Buzz TV Show.
    • Lewis Mahlmann: Noted Puppeteer/Builder at Fairyland’s Puppet Theater 
    • Tony Urbano: Credits include Men in Black, Team America & more.

Frank Oz: Featuring a puppet he built before he became a Muppet legend.

Contemporary Contributions:

  1. Guild Members: See amazing works from current Guild members, including:
    • Fratello Marionettes
    • The Puppet Company
    • Magical Moonshine Theatre
    • Images in Motion Inc.
    • Vagabond Puppets
    • Lisa Zagone
  2. National Artists: View puppets from notable creators such as:
    • Bil Baird (New York)
    • Dolores Hadley (Kansas)
    • Poppinjay Puppets (Dallas)
    • Daniel Llords (International)
  • 1987. Pierrot Marionette by Randal Metz of The Puppet Company and the Childen’s Fairyland Storybook Puppet Theater
  • Alice In Wonderland – Alice & Rabbit – Lewis Mahlmann and Frances Oznowicz – 1967
  • Bathing Beauty by Tony Urbano
  • Bongo Player by Rene Zendejas
  • Bongo Player with Rene Zendejas
  • Cousin Hebe HMS Pinafore Dusty’s Treehouse Tony Urbano 6
  • Gleebot CU sculpted by Kamela Portuges and team at Images in Motion Inc.
  • Jesters from Fratello Marionettes High Res
  • John Cusack Marionette from Being John Malkovich Kamela Portuges, sculptor and team at Images in Motion Inc.
  • Josephine HMS Pinafore Dusty’s Treehouse Tony Urbano
  • Meister Tinkle and Grizzlegrimm the Ogre Meister Tinkle’s Music Box- Wolo Von Trutzschler – 1977
  • Pair of red haired men by Bil Baird
  • PUSS iN BOOTS – Princess, Orgre and Puss – Nick LeFeuvre – 2000
  • Sir Gronch the Grouch – Mrs. Witherspoon’s Busy Day 1956 Lettie Schubert
  • The Bogart and Meg – The Enchanted Well – John Gilkerson – 1970s

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