Benjamin Logan Middle School art educator Jennifer Davis and guest artist Tristan Cupp from Dayton’s Zoot Theatre Company have continued a TeachArtsOhio grant project as students learn through distance learning.
Cupp, a puppet artist, is scheduled to work with art classes through the end of the school year. The Ohio Arts Council funded puppetry projects throughout the school year, which also included guest artists from Mad River Theatre Works.
BLMS visual arts, STEM, band and music, and technology classes participated throughout the school year.
School officials said the transition to distance learning altered puppet plans and resulted in new challenges for Davis and Cupp. However, the Ohio Arts Council approved an idea for Cupp to create artist teaching videos to continue the residency program.
Davis and the puppet artist decided to introduce shadow puppet theater to pupils, as they felt students would be able to find needed resources and materials in their homes.
A series of videos were created, along with guidance from the art educator. Students built shadow boxes, developed storyboards, made shadow puppets and sets, and ended with creating a series of shadow puppet scenes.
The visiting artist and Davis were impressed with the creative stories and artwork developed by the art pupils.