Puppets, Muppets and More

The art of puppetry comes alive with this Family Sunday full of storytelling and creative family fun. Learn how to create a paper puppet and how to use it to tell your own imaginary tale, discover some of the McMichael’s art stories in our storytelling circle and enjoy a good-cheer performance by Little Red Theatre, in which some helpful elves spread kindness and generosity to a much-needed couple.

Art Activities and Workshops

Drop-in Family Art Workshop

Time: 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Education Space
All Ages

Inspired by Little Red Theatre’s puppet performance, this hands-on workshop will encourage young visitors to make their own paper elf puppet that may spread kindness throughout the day. Working with instructor Bianca Heuvelman, children will use paper, scissors and glue to design their creations while learning a bit about puppetry along the way.

Stories In Wood, A Storytelling Circle

Time: 11:15 am, 12:15 and 1:15 pm
Location: Starting in the Grand Hall
All Ages

The Northwest Coast people share their stories of the land and spirit around the bonfire through dance, song, the drum and rattle, and exquisite wood masks worn by the dancers and storytellers. Come listen to West Coast Nations’ stories and explore the mesmerizing carvings of Tahltan Tinglit Wolf Clan master carver Dempsey Bob.

McMichael Highlights Tour

Time: 12:30 and 2 pm (approx. 1 hr)
Location: Starting in the Grand Hall
All Ages

This in-person engagement of the permanent collection and special exhibitions focuses on the most important aspects of the McMichael’s art of Canada collection, such as the paintings of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, Inuit and Indigenous art, as well as more recent contemporary artistic movements.

Performance: The Elves, A Shoemaker and his Wife performed by Little Red Theatre

Time: 12:30 and 2:30 pm (approx. 1 hr)
Location: Gallery 8
All Ages

From the Brothers Grimm, a modern variation about a poor old shoemaker, Hans, and his wife Martha struggling to pay the rent when Suzette, an ambitious young rock musician, orders some fancy boots!! THEN … really cute mischievous elves mysteriously help out the shoemaker and his wife for reasons we have yet to find out!! A musical, puppet-y take about generosity, luck and fate.

Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.