Avanti, Da Vinci! - Center for Puppetry Arts

Museum
The Center’s museum and special exhibits present puppets from various time periods and countries around
the world. Exhibitions of puppets are considered essential to enhance understanding and appreciation of
performances and workshops. The Center also encourages visitors to find a treasure in our collection that
correlates with the current family show.
PUPPETS: The Power of Wonder
The Center’s permanent exhibit, PUPPETS: The Power of Wonder, is a hands-on museum displaying more than 350
puppets from various time periods and countries around the world. Self-guided and docent-led tours reinforce
the breadth and scope of puppetry through the ages. Curated by Dr. Michael Malkin, Professor of Theatre,
California Polytechnic State University.
Special Exhibits
In addition to the permanent exhibit, the Center presented several special exhibits throughout the building
during the 2005-06 season.
PUPPETRY IN FOCUS: Treasures from our Global Collection
Puppetry fulfills a vital role in communities around the world. This exhibit, drawing from recent acquisitions
and never-before-seen pieces in the Center’s permanent collection, highlighted those roles. The more than
40 puppets on display included puppets from countries as diverse as Mali, Egypt, India, Japan, Russia, Indonesia,
Mexico, the Czech Republic and others. Co-curated by Susan Kinney and Bradford Clark.
1996 REVISITED: Puppets of Olympic Proportions
Atlanta was proud to host the Centennial Olympic Games in 1996. Izzy, the Centennial Olympic mascot, returned
for a visit along with Peter Minshall’s statuesque Belle and Gent, who danced at the Opening Ceremonies.
Olympics pin and memorabilia were also on display.
POSTERS INTERNATIONAL: A Puppet Perspective
Uniting diverse images from around the globe, this on-going exhibit includes a wide array of cartoonish, romantic,
subtle and daring posters. Each of these placards, which advertise productions and festivals from UNIMA (Union
Internationale de la Marionnette) Centers, reflects the unique culture of the countries they represent – from the
Czech Republic to Italy to Argentina.
KINGS OF BROADWAY
This exhibit featured two of the mask prototypes from the Broadway smash hit, The Lion King, for the lion
brothers themselves, Mufasa and Scar. Donated by Julie Taymor.
The Secret Annex Behind the Bookcase: The Anne Frank Secret Hiding Place
This exhibit was part of the larger exhibit, Anne Frank in the World, located at Kennesaw State University. It was on
loan as part of the Center’s world premiere of Anne Frank: Within & Without, which ran from January 19-29, 2006,
and was presented in cooperation with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.
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