The Allegany Arts Council and World Artists Experiences are pleased to welcome the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe as part of the 2023-2024 cultural program series.
Quanzhou, the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, is famous for its puppet tradition of more than a thousand years. Quanzhou’s marionette repertoire consists of more than 700 traditional plays and some 300 “puppet tunes” played with ancient instruments such as the “foot-pressed drum.” Founded in 1952 as the main inheritor of the city’s marionette tradition, the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe has revived the craft and toured more than fifty countries and regions in the world.
Showcasing their craft at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and many others, we are excited to welcome them to Western Maryland. The program will feature a performance by the talented puppeteers, along with a workshop in which children 6 and up can experience making marionettes of their own!
About World Artists Experiences
Since 2002, WAE members and volunteers have been active in providing opportunities for cultural exchange at the grassroots level. Working with a country's Embassy, programs have been sponsored involving musicians and other artists from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, and the United States. WAE programs provide housing, transportation and translation services to artists from around the world eager to share their art forms with a global audience.
Schedule
6:00-7:00PM Puppet Performance
7:00PM-8:00PM Make Your Own Puppet Workshop
About the Instructor
Local artist Lita Havens will lead the puppet-making workshop following the Quanzhou Puppet Troupe performance. Lita's fascination with fabrics, papers, yarns and threads, and the creation of 3D sculptures made her a perfect fit for this children's workshop. Her work supporting arts education in the homeschool community in Allegany County has cemented her relationship with area youth seeking creative opportunities.
Havens holds a BFA from the University of the Philippines. After graduation, she worked as an art teacher as well as in the advertising sector as a Print Producer. She is an active member of the Allegany Arts Council, Western Maryland Watercolor Society, Schoolhouse Quilters Guild, Western Maryland Creative Alliance, and the Cumberland Music and Arts Club. In 2023, through an Allegany Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, Lita jumpstarted a program held at the LaVale Public Library entitled, "Young Artists Studio."
About the Workshop
"Kids" ages 6 and up will enjoy making their very own monster marionette using pre-cut shapes, string and popsicle sticks, learning how to move arms, legs and eyes in tune with music or to express emotion.
Registration
Registration is free but space is limited to 40 participants. To register, please contact art@alleganyarts.org or 301.777.2787.
