Puppetry Arts Institute

NEW PAI VIDEOS! - Check our website's video page at https://puppetryartsinstitute.org/videos/ Some of our new videos include "How to make your own puppet," "Hands - a Puppet Show," "A Tour of Puppetry Arts Institute," "Marionette and Hand Puppet Showcase" and "Puppet Q and A". We hope these videos will be of help in learning more about the art of puppetry, and our work at PAI.

Mother Goose puppets created by Ray Moore, in the Puppetry Arts Institute collection

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS..... There's still time Friday evening (6:30 - 8:00 pm) and Saturday (10 am - 4 pm) to see our lovely Christmas walk-through puppet display, created by our Artistic Director Kraig Kensinger. The display will also be available for viewing Tuesday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 23 during our regular business hours, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. We hope you can stop by! Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Limited to no more than 10 people at a time, and face masks are required. Call 816-833-9777 or email [email protected] if you wish to set up a time to view the exhibit, or have questions.

MARIONETTE AND PUPPET COLLECTION FOR SALE - From Carol Campbell ([email protected]): "I’m looking for someone to purchase and love my wonderful collection of Hazelle marionettes, hand puppets, books, plays and paper items that came with the marionettes, and a few miscellaneous items. The price is very reasonable and includes approximately 100 Hazelle marionettes, 16 plays, and 18 hand puppets. Contact me at the email address above if interested." A list of items in her collection is available at https://puppetryartsinstitute.org//Marionettes-for-Sale-Ca

PAI GIFT SHOP SALE - Print or show this Facebook notice and bring to PAI Gift Shop for a 25% discount on your total purchase. Offer available during our regular hours, Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and valid through December 23, 2020.

THANKSGIVING HOURS - Puppetry Arts Institute will be closed Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holidays. We are still taking orders for our puppet painting kits, which make wonderful Christmas gifts for the children in your family. Call 816-833-9777 or email us at [email protected] to order.

This is a photo of our new window banners at Puppetry Arts Institute. Currently we have puppet painting workshops by appointment, and puppet painting kits you can do at home. (Go to https://puppetryartsinstitute.org/puppet-kits-available/ for more information.) Call 816-833-9777 or email [email protected] to order your kits or to schedule a workshop. We hope to resume our on site puppet shows once this Covid-19 crisis has passed. (Photo by Anitra Steele)

Hello everyone! We wanted to let you know about our puppet painting workshops and PAI Puppet Kits. We are pleased to announce that Puppet Painting Workshops are available again on an appointment basis. (For individuals and groups, limited to no more than 15 puppet painters at a time.) Call or email us for an appointment at 816-833-9777 or [email protected]. Masks will be worn by all staff and volunteers, and we encourage participants and accompanying adults to wear masks as we...ll. We are also offering Puppet Kits that can be painted at home. Available with curbside or counter pick up at PAI or home delivery within Eastern Jackson county. We can also mail them to you via the US Postal Service. More information about our Puppet Kits is at https://puppetryartsinstitute.org/puppet-kits-available/

OUR THANK YOU! The board and staff of Puppetry Arts Institute in the Englewood Arts District of Independence, Missouri, send our deepest gratitude to doctors, nurses and other medical staff members, first responders, delivery drivers, cooks, those who serve food to those in need, grocers, teachers preparing on-line lessons, and many others dedicated to keeping us all safe. Our goal has always been to share our love of puppetry through puppet painting workshops, high quality and entertaining puppet shows, educational tours of our museum and other special events. We are unable to carry out our mission at this time at our location so we are preparing some fun on-line tours and demonstrations soon. Keep checking our Facebook page, our website and eventually YouTube.

Even though Puppetry Arts Institute is temporarily closed, our puppets are practicing social distancing and washing their hands often. Stay safe and be well.

Due to recommendations by local officials and the CDC regarding the Corona Virus, Puppetry Arts Institute will be taking a pause, and temporarily discontinue our regular business hours, puppet making workshops and performances until further notice. We will keep you posted as events unfold. Stay safe and healthy. We are all in this together!

PUPPET SHOW POSTPONED - Performances for our March 21 & 28 puppet show "JACK'S BEANSTALK ADVENTURE," are postponed. We'll let you know when it's rescheduled.

Puppetry Arts Institute is now accepting bookings for summer puppet painting workshops. Schedule your group's workshop now for best dates. Cost is $8 a puppet, takes about 90 minutes and is limited to 30 painters at a time, ages 5 and up. For reservations call 816-833-9777 or email [email protected]. Our hours are 10 - 4, Tuesday - Saturday. We are handicapped accessible and welcome those with special needs.

It's not too late to attend a puppet show today! "Healthily Ever After" will be presented today and Monday, February 17. Showtimes are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days. Admission is $6 per person ($5 with postcard or mention of this Facebook post). Age 2 and under free. Walk-ins are welcome. Call 816-833-9777 to reserve seats.

On Sunday, February 9, from 2 - 3 pm, Nancy Clark will be giving a presentation at The National Museum of Toys/Miniatures on the life and work of Hazelle Rollins and her puppet factory. We hope you'll be able to attend. The museum is located at 5235 Oak St, Kansas City, Missouri 64112. The presentation is free with paid admission to the museum. (Cost of admission is $5 for students, $8 for adults, and $7 for seniors. Age 5 and under free.) For more information about the National Museum of Toys / Miniatures, call (816) 235-8000 or visit toyandminiaturemuseum.org Their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/toyandminiaturemuseum/