From Pinocchio to Fantastic Mr. Fox, New Special Exhibition Showcases the Beloved Screen Characters of Stop-Motion
ATLANTA (MAY 2026) — The Center for Puppetry Arts invites audiences behind the scenes of one of the most imaginative forms of visual storytelling with Frame by Frame: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation, on view June 12 through November 1, 2026. The special exhibition explores the artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation behind stop-motion animation through more than 80 original puppets, sets, and production elements from beloved films and television series.
Curated by animator and educator Emily D. Myers alongside Center for Puppetry Arts Museum Director Jill Nash Malool, the exhibition features works on loan from The Walt Disney Archives, Netflix, Warner Bros. Archives, leading stop motion animation studios, and private collections. Visitors will encounter iconic characters and production artifacts from productions including Adventure Time, Anomalisa, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, James and the Giant Peach, Moral Orel, SpongeBob SquarePants, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Wendell & Wild, and many more.
The exhibition highlights work created by more than 11 renowned studios and artists from across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, including Aardman Animations, Shadow Machine, Starburns Industries, and Screen Novelties.
“Stop-motion animation exists at the intersection of puppetry, sculpture, filmmaking, and performance,” said Myers. “This exhibition celebrates not only the final films audiences know and love, but also the extraordinary handmade artistry behind every frame.”
Myers brings more than 15 years of industry experience to the project, including work as a puppet fabricator on films such as ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, Missing Link, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Several puppets she personally helped create are included in the exhibition.
Through immersive displays, hands-on elements, and behind-the-scenes insights, Frame by Frame reveals how artists transform still objects into emotionally resonant characters through patience, precision, and movement. The exhibition also spotlights the work of acclaimed filmmakers including Wes Anderson, Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro, Henry Selick, Charlie Kaufman, and Jordan Peele, alongside celebrated independent artists such as Amanda Strong, Cami Kwan, Michael Granberry, and Andrés Eduardo.
To celebrate the exhibition’s opening, the Center will host Frame by Frame: Opening Screening and Artist Talk on Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. The evening includes screenings of two acclaimed stop-motion short films — Con Fuerza and Les Bêtes — followed by a conversation with Myers, filmmakers Andrés Eduardo and Michael Granberry, and moderator Mikael Trench of TriClops Films.
Granberry’s award-winning work includes contributions to Severance, Wendell & Wild, Anomalisa, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. His short film Les Bêtes won the Jury Prize, Best Short Film at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025. Eduardo’s Con Fuerza received an Annie Award nomination for Best Student Film and he has since worked on projects including The Tiny Chef Show.
The Center will also present Armature Creation for Stop-Motion, a special stop-motion workshop with Eduardo that offers participants an immersive introduction to the art of armature creation and character design for stop-motion animation. Through demonstrations and discussion, attendees will explore the creative process of building movable puppet structures for on-screen storytelling. Designed for aspiring animators, artists, puppeteers and curious beginners alike, the workshop provides a rare opportunity to learn professional stop-motion techniques directly from a working artist whose work bridges independent filmmaking and commercial animation.
For tickets and additional information, visit puppet.org. Frame by Frame: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation is included with admission to the Center for Puppetry Arts.
Exhibition Information
Frame by Frame: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation
June 12 – November 1, 2026
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Opening Event
Frame by Frame: Opening Screening and Artist Talk
June 12, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 ($20 for Members)
Workshop
Armature Creation for Stop-Motion
June 13, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $40 ($35 for Members)
About the Center for Puppetry Arts
The Center for Puppetry Arts is a one-of-a-kind cultural institution where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained through performances, workshops and a world-class museum. Since 1978, the Center has inspired millions of visitors onsite and through digital learning and outreach programs. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Center is supported by corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals including major funding from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Georgia Council for the Arts, a partner of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Center is a member of TYA/USA/ASSITEJ and serves as the headquarters of UNIMA-USA.