Spring School Holiday Art Workshops at The Gallery

Puppet construction and animation with Sarah Easterman

Tuesday 8 October

Join Sarah for an engaging puppet making and animation workshop. Students can come on either day, or both!

Students will create their own puppet using found objects, paper and cardboard constructions. A simple and effective process in the style of Ashley Bryan. These characters, combined with drawings, collage and story will be used to create stop motion animations and short film performances.

 Where others might only see discarded fabric or natural detritus, simple paper boxes or cardboard rolls, this workshop challenges the participants to expand the limitations of these upcycled materials and transform them into a world of possibilities. Developing them into hand puppets that have their own unique personality and character.

Sarah is a qualified visual arts teacher, and will share her extensive experience in theatre and performance to assist students with story creation. Adding sound, and visual effects to the animations and recorded puppetry performances.

Completed animations and films will be projected as part of Fitzroy St Plaza Projection Public Art Program in November 2024

A fun hands-on workshop that combines traditional and new media techniques.

Session 1 - Infants / Early Primary (1 hour) 

Session 2 - Primary / High School (2 hours)

Sessions 3 - High School / Upper Primary (2 hours) 

Across all sessions

Key Features

• Bring your own smartphone or tablet device to this workshop
• If a device is required please contact the gallery prior to booking, There are a small number available.
• Interactive animation/film session inspired by the work of William Kentridge
• Hands-on activities with puppet making, and paper construction
• Guided art projects where kids create their own animations or record micro performances with their puppets
• Animations and films will be projected as part of Fitzroy St Plaza Projection Public Art Program in November

Workshop Activities:

• Create and plan a simple story inspired by the puppet character that can be built into an animation
• Use found objects, paper and cardboard to construct puppet characters
• Create a distinctive character and story for their puppet
• Learn basic puppeteering techniques
• Create background and sound effects to create backdrops for characters
• Learn how to photograph and animate paper and images

Materials Provided

• Boxes, Cardboard, Paper, Newspaper, Magazine, found objects
• Paint, Pencils and art materials
• Scissors and tape

Tool Required:

• Smartphone or tablet with app installed
• If a device is required please contact the gallery prior to booking,
  There are a small number available.

Artistic Outcomes:

• Student will gain an understanding of animation concepts and skills
• They will learn how to tell a story with narrative and movement
• Use digital devices to take photos and create an animation that tells a story
• Create an artwork that results in a finished animation

Join us for a creative journey that empowers students to use digital devices with traditional  artistic skills and lets children express their individuality through art!

What: Animation Workshop with Sarah Easterman

Where: Art Studio, Tamworth Regional Gallery, 466 Peel St Tamworth.

When: Tuesday 8 October (second session will run on Wed. 9 October)

Session 1             10.00 - 11.00      early primary students

Session 2             11.30 - 1.30        For primary / high school students

Session 3             2.00 - 4.00pm     For primary / high school students

Cost: Session 1 - $20    Session 2 - $30      Session 3 - $30 

Queries: Contact the Gallery on (02) 6767 5230 or email: gallery@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Please advise of any access requirements.

The gallery is fully accessible and offers free parking at the rear of the building. 
Numbers limited to 12 students per class.  

Artist Bio

Sarah Easterman is a multidisciplinary artist currently residing in Tamworth.

She trained at Theatre Nepean, University of Western Sydney and at College of Fine Arts, Paddington. She is interested in generating liminal spaces, allowing for reflection and comment on the human condition. Her personal art and theatre practice has taken her touring all over the world.

Sarah is passionate about storytelling and silliness. She loves helping workshop participants of all ages tap into their imaginations and create new objects and characters out of discarded materials. She loves exploring the secret power we can give objects by imbuing  them with a spirit or a soul. Animating them with story both figuratively and literally.

Images: Supplied by artist.