Giant Puppet Community Workshop Series - Hillsborough, NC

HAC and 1,2,3 Puppetry are hosting a giant puppet-making workshop series! We invite you to spend the afternoon learning about the art of puppetry, and working with us to community-craft a NEW giant puppet to debut at the 2024 Handmade Parade!

Two opportunities (you are welcome to participate in both!):

• Sunday, May 12, 2024, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
• Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Ages 12 and up. We will be using hot and sharp tools. Adults and guardians will be asked to sign a release waiver.

Space is limited, and first-come, first-serve!

Join us at Margaret Lane’s 302 West Corbin St. classroom for a three-hour session on May 12th and/or May 19th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.

Introducing Our Instructor: Sol Ramirez

Sol is the founder and director of 1,2,3 Puppetry, a puppet theater company based in Chapel Hill. This group is dedicated to leveraging puppetry, acting, music, and movement to champion social justice and shed light on underrepresented issues.

Sol became interested in puppetry at the age of three, and at age six, 1,2,3 Puppetry was born -

“My parents, who supported my love of art and puppetry from day one, learned of a community event in Hillsborough called the Handmade Parade. I was so excited to learn of how many local artists and puppeteers there were, and knew right away that I wanted to participate. A parade full of giant puppets and masks was like a trip to the toy store for me. My parents signed me and my two friends up for a slot in the parade.

“There’s an option to list the name of your group for the parade, do you want to give yourselves a name?” my mom asked. “How about 1,2,3 Puppetry?” I answered. Right then, my company was born, and would continue to grow and develop into what it is today. The Handmade Parade was the push that created 1,2,3 Puppetry.”

Sol Ramirez

Artist, Activist, Musician, Puppeteer  Creator/Director of 1,2,3 Puppetry

2022

Sol now helps lead HAC’s Solstice Lantern Walk and Handmade Parade and is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Puppet Arts at the University of Connecticut.