About the Studio Sunday Activity
Create a shadow puppet theatre inspire by the work of Canadian artist, Shary Boyle: Outside the Palace of Me on view at the MacKenzie until 15 September 2024. Tell your own stories with shadow puppets in our studio theatre! Create paper puppets that can then be brought to life using an overhead projector.
This workshop is led by one of our amazing Gallery Educators.
About Studio Sundays
It’s an art party! Weekly Studio Sundays at the MacKenzie Art Gallery, presented by Canada Life, is an opportunity for individuals and families to drop in and create artwork.
Learn about the artists and artworks in MacKenzie’s Permanent Collection and featured exhibitions with weekly in-person hands-on workshops that can be modified for all ages. Visit our studio to make art with Gallery Educators and guest artists, exploring new and beloved techniques and art materials.
There is no cost to attend these drop-in sessions. All materials are provided.
The Artwork that Inspired Us
Installation view of Shary Boyle: Outside the Palace of Me, 2024. Mackenzie Art Gallery. Photo by Carey Shaw.
Pictured is The Procession from Scene V: The March/Parade, from Shary Boyle’s Outside the Palace of Me exhibition, on at the MacKenzie Art Gallery until 15 September 2024.
“Millions of people have taken to the streets to demand a more just world. Acts of protest are also celebrations of humanity and the hopeful possibility of change. Community happens when people act collectively to help the vulnerable and include the stranger. One person’s parade is another’s riot.” —Quoted from the exhibition’s playbill.
“I made The Procession to honour the spirit of collective gathering to celebrate, grieve, reclaim, teach, dance, give thanks, strengthen relations, be welcome and safe, mourn, remember, and assert equal, sovereign rights to thrive, pray, and resist. The black porcelain represents the shadow of history, each figure cut out into the shape of a memory. Their silhouettes stretch into the future, connecting and speaking to those beyond our time.” —Quoted from the exhibition’s catalogue.
About the Artist
Shary Boyle creates artwork in a variety of disciplines, including sculpture, drawing, and performance. She borrows themes and aesthetics from mythology, old technology, and folk art. Her work is often very detailed, inviting the viewer to take a closer look. Her art is about feminist, historical, and political subjects. Shary Boyle is very inclusive, and she often collaborates with other creative people.
Studio Activity
Create and share your own story with shadow puppets in our studio theatre!
Materials:
- Overhead projector
- Laptop
- Cellophane
- Clear masking tape
- Long wooden sticks
- Construction paper
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Markers
- Pencils, erasers, and sharpeners
- Stencils & magazines
Step 1
Select a theme that will inspire your puppet story. If you are running out of ideas, use some topics of the next possible options. Some possible options for themes could be: collaboration, animal care, environmental conservation, global warming, the way we treat each other and ourselves…
Step 2
Imagine at least two characters that could be part of the story.
- Choose your main character and secondary characters: Consider the story you want to tell and decide who your main character will be. What challenges will they face? Who else is involved in this story? Are these characters friends or foes of the main character? How will their paths intersect in the story?
- Create a shadow puppet from construction paper. Also, think about secondary characters who will help develop your story. Trace the outline of the shadow characters, cut them out, and glue them onto paper with a wooden stick attached as a handle.
Step 3
Now, start working on the structure of your puppet show. Draft your story in three acts; if you have extra time, you can add extra acts to sustain your story.
Step 4
Next, let’s add some special effects:
- BACKGROUND: Decide what kind of background your character will need in each act. Glue or stick it to your template. Use cellophane to create the background; remember to use both transparent or colored cellophanes. The background scenography of the story should be evident.
- SOUNDTRACK: Think of a special song that you want the gallery facilitator to play for you. It can be a silent show, or you can even create your own sounds with your voice to produce special effects.
Step 5
Play with creating shadows on the projection and acting out scenes with other puppet characters. Optionally, have parents, friends, and students take photos with the puppets.
Step 6
Visit the exhibition Shary Boyle: Outside the Palace of Me to experience the artist’s theatre and immersive stories!
Things to Think About
- Why are stories important to tell? How can stories help us examine topics that are important to us?
- How can you create a backdrop or landscape that can help tell your story? What would be the musical accompaniment for your story?