The Center for Puppetry Arts Event CALL TO AUCTION Returns for Its Third Year
The Center for Puppetry Arts Event CALL TO AUCTION Returns for Its Third Year
ATLANTA (April 2023) – In support of the Center for Puppetry Arts’ mission to inspire imagination, education, and community through the global art of puppetry, the Center will host its third annual online fundraiser “Call to Auction” May 2-4, 2023. Packages this year will include VIP and private showings of the Center’s most popular holiday shows, a one-on-one Zoom call with a special puppeteer, VIP tours with The Jim Henson Company, and more.
Auction items returning for a third year will include the Jim Henson’s Creature Shop – NYC Tour with Cheryl Henson. The most popular package from the previous years’ Call to Auction, the highest bidder and their three guests will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes to tour the New York location of the renowned Jim Henson’s Creature Shop where the world’s most iconic puppet characters were created by an award-winning team of artists. The bidder and their guests will also enjoy lunch with Cheryl Henson, President of The Jim Henson Foundation and one of the daughters of the famous Jim Henson.
Also returning for a third year is the Meet a Muppet Puppeteer package where bidders will have the chance to win a one-on-one Zoom call with Dave Goelz, the longest-tenured Muppet performer, and learn how his zest for puppetry became his life’s work. In this virtual meet-and-greet, bidders will have the chance to learn about the man behind such famous Muppets as the Great Gonzo, Uncle Traveling Matt, and Boober Fraggle.
VIP parties featuring performances from two Center original productions will also return, as bidders will have the chance to win a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer VIP Party and The Ghastly Dreadfuls VIP Party (Adults Only). The winner of these separate packages will receive a VIP party with their guests along with a private showing of either the Center’s holiday classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, or the Center’s original Halloween 18+ production, The Ghastly Dreadfuls.
Auction items that will be returning for a second year will include a Zoom conversation with puppet designer and builder, Bonnie Erickson (creator of Miss Piggy, Statler and Waldorf, and more), and a Zoom conversation with Fran Brill (Puppeteer of Zoe and Prairie Dawn from Sesame Street).
New auction items this year will also include exclusive experiences at Atlanta Ballet (4 tickets to a performance of The Nutcracker in Gold Circle seating for the 2023 – 2024 season); a private 3-hour art class for two with Fabian Williams (an award-winning Atlanta-based mural artist and social justice activist); and lunch with The Coca-Cola Company President and CFO, John Murphy. Additional auction items include dining packages, high-end jewelry, artwork, one-of-a-kind experiences, and more.
Bidding opens on May 2nd at 12:00 pm EDT and ends on May 4th at 5 pm. EDT. For more information, visit puppet.org/call-to-auction/
Click here for a complete list of the Center’s major supporters.
Center for Puppetry Arts® is a unique cultural treasure – a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened, and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances, curriculum-based workshops, and the hands-on Museum as well as Digital Learning and Outreach programs. Center for Puppetry Arts is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization and is supported in part by contributions from corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. These programs are also supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a member of Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA/USA/ASSITEJ). The Center also serves as the headquarters of UNIMA-USA, the American branch of Union Internationale de la Marionnette, the international puppetry organization.