{"id":89866,"date":"2014-02-28T09:40:06","date_gmt":"2014-02-28T14:40:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=89866"},"modified":"2015-08-11T16:01:03","modified_gmt":"2015-08-11T20:01:03","slug":"puppetry-museum-opens-at-storrs-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2014\/02\/puppetry-museum-opens-at-storrs-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Puppetry Museum Opens at Storrs Center"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"An<\/a>
An exhibit of Frank Ballard’s rod puppets is one of three exhibitions on display for the opening of the new Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at Storrs Center.\u00a0 (Peter Morenus\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry, part of UConn\u2019s world renowned Puppet Arts Program, will open in its new location as part of the program of Grand Opening activities for the UConn Co-op Bookstore and Le Petit Marche Caf\u00e9 in Storrs Center on Saturday, March 1, from 1 to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Activities for the Grand Opening event will include tours of the Museum and the Bookstore, refreshments provided by the caf\u00e9, a puppet performance, and book signings by several best-selling authors, including novelist Wally Lamb, children\u2019s author and illustrator Barbara McClintock, and essayist Sam Pickering.<\/p>\n

\"Bart<\/a>
Bart Roccoberton, professor of dramatic arts, looks over an exhibit of photography by Richard Termine ’75 (SFA), ‘Puppets Through the Lens.’ BIMP’s new home includes expanded exhibition and performance space. (Peter Morenus\/UConn Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new home of the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry (BIMP), previously located on UConn\u2019s Depot Campus, includes expanded exhibition and performance space that now is part of the Co-op\u2019s award-winning trade book division, which regularly celebrates authors with readings and book-signings.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really fantastic. It\u2019s everything we hoped for and more.\u201d says John Bell, museum director, puppeteer, and theater historian. \u201cThe space is wonderful. I feel glad we filled it with strong exhibits of different kinds that are all connected to UConn puppetry and Frank Ballard\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three exhibitions will open the Museum\u2019s new space, including two that pay tribute to BIMP\u2019s namesake, the legendary puppeteer Frank Ballard, who founded the Puppet Arts program:<\/p>\n