#2 🎭 Puppetry Delights Await – Events, Workshops & More! 🎭
February Newsletter - Puppetry News, Inspiration & Opportunities!
Puppetry News, Inspiration & Opportunities!
Hello Puppet Enthusiasts!
Welcome to the second edition of the Holly Likes Puppets newsletter! 🎉 January flew by, and with it came an exciting flurry of puppetry goodness. Whether you’ve been busy crafting, performing, or simply admiring from afar, here’s a roundup of must-see blog posts, workshops, and upcoming events to keep the inspiration flowing.
This month, we’re celebrating the vibrant puppetry community—from thrilling festival announcements to hands-on creative workshops and unmissable funding opportunities. Have you taken part in Puppet Place’s 25 Challenge, today’s the final day, share your experience—let us know how you did! And if you’re looking to enhance your puppet-making skills, check out Puppets in Prague Recipes, a new subscription series starting February 1st!
More info below..
🎭 Highlights from the Blog 🎭
📝 Netflix’s "Eric"— Guest Blogger Charlotte Kingston’s Insightful Perspective – Discover Charlotte’s sharp and insightful perspective on Eric, the 2024 Netflix series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as a troubled puppeteer and his unexpected connection to a giant blue puppet. Read more here!
✨ A Handful of Puppetry Magic – InHand’s latest curation showcases the rich global traditions of puppetry, from Sicilian marionettes to Paul Klee’s eccentric handmade puppets. Explore the artistry!
📸 Dark Crystal Exhibition Highlights – we shared some stunning BFI 2020 exhibition photos! But if you want to experience the magic first-hand, don’t miss The Great Con-Junction 2025—the ultimate Dark Crystal fan event happening this February! Details here!
🎪 Festivals & Events to Look Forward To 🎪
📌 Manipulate Festival 2025 – The best of visual theatre and animated film, running throughout February! Find out more!
📌 Smethwick Puppetry Festival (15–23 Feb 2025) – A pay-what-you-can event across 10 community venues, celebrating all things puppetry! Get involved!
📌 London Mime Festival – Did you catch Not a Word at the Barbican? This stunning, wordless performance received glowing reviews. Check it out!
📌 Curious SOUP Nights (16 Jan – 27 Feb) – Puppeteers and artists gathering for food, inspiration, and creativity every Thursday evening. 📍 St Barnabas, Dalston, London. Join in!
📌 Become a Moving Parts Ambassador – Shape the Future of Arts in Tyneside!
Apply by March 15th for free events, workshops, and to join the creative community. More info here!
🎨 Workshops & Opportunities 🎨
🎨Puppets in Prague Recipes – Starting February 1st, join Puppets in Prague for their new subscription series celebrating their 25th anniversary! Each month, you’ll get a new “recipe” to create a different kind of puppet, plus assignments for feedback from the puppet community. Be part of a supportive network and explore the magic of Czech puppetry. Sign up here!
🎭 UNIMA Symposium – Puppetry Unborders – The submission deadline has been extended to 15 Feb! A great chance to explore how puppetry transcends boundaries. Submit your proposal! Read more
🎓 MA Puppetry at Wimbledon College of Arts – Still time to apply! Round 2 deadline: 26 March 2025. Digital portfolio deadline: 9 April. Learn more!
🎭 Smoking Apples Puppetry Workshops – Learn from the talented team at Smoking Apples Theatre. Sign up here!
🎨 Creative Pathways Commissions: Art Town Artist in Residence – Full House Theatre is looking for experienced artists/creative practitioners from Central Bedfordshire to work on a residency project. Open to all art forms and creative practices. Apply here!
💰 Funding Alert! Heritage Crafts is offering 50 grants of £1,000 to support craftspeople facing financial hardship, including marionette makers! Apply here!
📅 Mark Your Calendar! 📅
📆 Ongoing – V&A Museum Folk Puppetry Collection (London) – A treasure trove of traditional puppets from around the world. Plan your visit!
📆 Spring 2025 – My Neighbor Totoro Returns! Featuring Basil Twist’s breath-taking puppetry. Keep an eye out for behind-the-scenes talks!
📆 Anytime – Museum of Puppetry (Slovenia) – A must-visit for puppetry lovers! More info!
Please share with friends and on social media! @hollylikespuppets
If you have anything you'd like to add or include, please email hollylikespuppets@gmail.com.
That’s all for now! Whether you're attending events, exploring puppetry history, or crafting your own creations, there’s so much to be inspired by. Keep creating, keep exploring, and most importantly—keep puppeteering!
Until next time,
Holly ✨