This fall, 18 Portland, Oregon climate artists/activists seized the opportunity to learn the art and mechanics of large-scale puppetry in workshops led by Donovan Zimmerman, co-founder of the renowned Paperhand Puppet Project.
Funded by a Portland Clean Energy Fund mini-grant and hosted by 350PDX, the classes focused on creating puppets inspired by iconic Pacific Northwest wildlife, including salmon, Douglas firs, beavers, and herons. Participants built the puppets using everyday materials like cardboard, paper-mâché, and clay.
Yesterday, Donovan and the artists put finishing touches on several of the incredible creations. Soon, the puppets will go out into the world and participate in climate marches and rallies; their originality and artistry creating a powerful way to inspire awareness of climate change.
