By Bill Parry
The Museum of the Moving Image will celebrate Jim Henson’s birthday with a special Fall Family Day Saturday with screenings, puppet-making and other fun and educational activities for children of all ages. The late television, film and puppetry pioneer, who died in 1990, was best known for creating The Muppets.
“It should be a fun, family-oriented event,” MoMI Deputy Director Chris Wisniewski said. “It’s a taste of the programs and activities that are in store with the upcoming Jim Henson permanent gallery and exhibition this winter.”
The Jim Henson Legacy, the entity in charge of the Henson collection, has begun turning over articles that include nearly 400 puppets, costumes, props and other objects to the museum. They represent every major film and televisions production in which Henson played a role during his 40-year career.
“Sesame Street,” “The Muppet Show,” “Fraggle Rock” and “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas” were among his productions, which remain world-famous. Each will be represented in a new wing at the Museum of the Moving Image.
“Our Fall Family Day is just another in a series of events designed to build excitement for the exhibit,” Wisniewski said. Museum admission for children 12 and under is free all day. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Families are invited to make paper-bag puppets, participate in puppet karaoke, design a character combining their favorite Henson puppet with a family member and enjoy family-friendly screenings.
At 1:30 p.m., as part of its monthly series Jim Henson’s World, the museum will present a live discussion with Rollie Krewson, a master puppet designer and builder at the Jim Henson Creature Shop. Krewson designed and built puppets for more than 40 years and will discuss her craft and show clips of her favorite scenes, as well as some rare insider video footage taken at the workshop.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
