"I Live in a Small Town" is a 17-scene exhibit I created for Providence Children's Museum, which featured 36 of my handcrafted finger puppets and hundreds of miniatures I've made or collected over the years. The exhibit was on display for four months and was well received by little kids and by big kids who are sometimes disguised as adults.
Below are some of the inhabitants who resided in the display boxes which measured 12 5/8" L x 6 3/4" H x 5 1/8"W -- now THAT'S a small town!
Designing thematically when it comes to puppets, I believe, makes for endless and richer storytelling possibilities as the characters interact with one another. Some of the themes I work with include: Little Paris, the Rodeo and Nursery Rhymes.
It was in the crafting of these puppets that their stories unfolded, which indicated to me where these guys would like to live -- what sorts of backdrops and props needed to be made -- in order to make their small world REAL.
Working on a miniature scale is both challenging and hugely rewarding to me as an artist. So, whether I'm working with fiber and fabrics, or with clay, wood, or wire, I am striving for a high level of detail, for impeccable craftsmanship, and for believability. The goal is ALWAYS to pull the viewer into the "story", and to delight.
These characters' stories and images are the property of and are ©Megan E. Jeffery. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
