As part of Bristol Experimental Puppet Festival, Undergrowth is proud to announce a 2-day workshop in collaboration with international puppet maker Anne Murray of Refuge Puppets!

Anne Murray is an Irish and American artist, who is focused on using puppets for social justice and advocacy for the oppressed and traumatised. Her project, Refuge Puppets, uses puppets to create a safe space together, helping with healing from trauma and displacement. This workshop will enable you to carve and create  puppet heads and hands from re-harvested styrofoam and cardboard, as well as construct glove puppet bodies from recycled clothing. Bring some article of clothing to recycle and an idea of the character you would like to create. Let’s create something fun and useful, together. 

Day 1- Puppet Place May 31st 10am-4pm

Carve puppet heads and hands from styrofoam and cover them with paper and glue. Begin hand sewing clothing and creating any accessories for the puppet. Participants should bring one piece of clothing or any item , which they wish to recycle to create accessories for their puppet. Some base fabric will be provided and participants can supplement it with their own recycled materials or use only the provided fabric. 

Day 2- PRSC June 7th 5pm-9pm

Paint puppet head and hands and any accessories. Finish creating and sewing clothing, and attach it to the head and hands. Participants will have to spray the head and hands with a clear matte spray, once the head and hands are completely dry. The clear coat spray is not provided, because the puppet must be completely dry before it is sprayed, so this part will be done at home. With permission provided by participants, some photos will be taken of finished puppets for documentation and future workshop publicity purposes.

Concession Tickets

If you would like to attend this workshop but cannot afford the ticket price, we have a limited number of concession tickets available upon request. To enquire about concessions, please email [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.