This summer The Gorse Mill Gallery in Needham is presenting an exhibit of puppets and puppet theater by local artist John Lechner. The exhibit will include hand puppets, marionettes, shadow puppets, rod puppets, and crankies created by the artist over the last thirty years. The exhibit will run July 6th – August 23rd, and there will be a free reception for all ages on Saturday July 11th at 3:00 pm, where John will perform with many of the puppets on display.
John Lechner's artistic career has ranged from design to animation to publishing, yet puppetry has always been a part of his creative output. From his early marionettes and hand puppets, to his experiments with crankies and toy theater, he has found inspiration experimenting with all different kinds of storytelling. "Puppetry is a fusion of so many art forms," he says, "some of the most experimental work in theater today is happening on the puppet stage. It's another way to bring stories to life, in a way that's immediate and tangible."
Included in the exhibit will be puppet stages and scenery as well as different kinds of puppets. At the reception on July 11th at 3:00, John will demonstrate how these stages work, and perform scenes from a few of his shows. Refreshments will be served.
The Gorse Mill Gallery is located at 31 Thorpe Road, Needham, open weekdays from 11 am – 5 pm or by appointment. www.gorsemillstudios.com
