The Connecticut Guild of Puppetry’s mission is to provide a meeting place and forum where people with an interest and love of the art form may share knowledge, ideas, trends, and creative endeavors.
It is the intent of the Guild to encourage the raising of standards of the art of puppetry; to foster awareness in the general public of the magic, wonder, and power of the puppet; and to encourage the use of puppetry as an educational tool.
EVENT
The Kent Art Association will host The Connecticut Guild of Puppetry’s exhibition, “State of the Art: CT Puppetry” at the Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St., Kent from July 3 - August 9, 2026, bringing together aspects of this performing art from all corners of our state through nearly 100 years of artistry on display. The CT Guild of Puppetry is in its 52nd year and will highlight members’ works, including delightful hand puppets by Michael Graham, who attended our first meeting in April of 1974. Puppeteers live across the state and include independent artists to TV performers. Teaching artists, educators and libraries use puppetry as a tool to reach diverse learners through this dynamic visual theater option for storytelling.
Connecticut has a deep and rich history of puppetry, from Margo Rose in our CT Women’s Hall of Fame to Frank Ballard, who founded UConn’s Puppet Arts program, which led to the opening of the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Puppetry Conference —recently celebrated its 36th year annually hosting participating Puppet Artists from around the world and will be represented in this exhibit.
Visitors will see an amazing array of contemporary and historic puppets on display, including original artwork by famed Sesame Street performer Caroll Spinney, as well as a selection of over 30 images from the exhibition American Puppet Theater Today: The Photography of Richard Termine, courtesy of the Jim Henson Foundation. Our vibrant tradition of puppetry in CT continues to thrive and hopefully inspires our future generations to learn, dream and create in this rich interdisciplinary art form.
The exhibit will be open to the public Thursday – Saturday from 1:00 – 5:00; Sunday from 12:00 – 4:00 with events, workshops and performance throughout the 5 weeks.
Friday, July 3 - Opening Reception 2-4pm at the gallery with parade in the evening in town.
Friday, Jul 17 - Puppetry Hand Skills for adults workshop $65 7-9pm
Saturday, Jul 25 - ”Slam-a-lot” 2, an evening of short form puppet theater @ 7pm at the Kent Community House
Aug. 7, 8 & 9 - Sidewalk Sale Days/Puppetry vendors 10am-5pm
Sunday, Aug 9 - Closing Reception 2-4pm with puppet shows @11:00am and 1:00pm.
Kent Art Association
21 S Main St
Kent, CT 06757
Puppetry Festivals & Conferences
SoNo Arts Festival & Puppet Parade
August 1 – 2, 2026
Located on Washington Street in Historic South Norwalk, this massive visual arts festival culminates in a giant Puppet Parade on Sunday, August 2nd at 1:00 PM. The parade is famous for its massive, human-powered puppets and vibrant community energy.
Museum Exhibitions & Ongoing Series
Becoming Modern Exhibition
Open now through October 2026
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry in Storrs presents an exploration of American puppetry as a modern art form throughout the 20th century. Visitors can view iconic figures and rare artifacts from the museum's extensive permanent collection.State of the Art: Connecticut Puppetry
The Kent Art Association will host The Connecticut Guild of Puppetry’s exhibition, “State of the Art – Connecticut Puppetry” from July 3rd to August 9th bringing together all aspects of this wonderful art form.Monthly Puppet Weekends
Second weekend of every month
Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk offers family-centered programming including original theater performances and interactive "behind-the-scenes" workshops designed for young children.
Performances
Blues, Blues by Sova Theater
September 27, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Hosted by the East Lyme Puppetry Committee, this musical performance at the East Lyme Community Center combines live music, dance, and shadow puppetry. More details on the troupe can be found at Sova Theater.
Celebrate the Guild’s 50th Anniversary with this enamel pin. Designed by Christopher Grande, and limited to a run of just 50.
Soft Royal Blue t-shirt with a small white CGP Logo on the front left chest, and on the back a puppet stage version of the state of Connecticut, flanked by two puppeteers — Celebrating the Art of Puppetry.
Design by Guild member Bryan Langdeau
S/H Calculated at Checkout
100% Cotten, Youth Small → 2XL Available.
Puppeteers of America in partnership with UNIMA-USA, announces a new initiative: a Direct Relief Fund for Puppet Artists.
Many in our community have lost work doing what we love — performing, teaching, and sharing the art of puppetry in all its forms.
