Portland, Oregon - Sellwood: Portland Puppet Musuem

The Portland Puppet Museum resides in an ordinary (though good-sized) house in a quiet Sellwood neighborhood, not far from Oaks Park.

As you enter there is some signage and explanation, but mainly there are just lots and lots of puppets.

The collection contains over 300 puppets.

The brochure indicates that they change the displays four times a year, allowing different puppets to be featured and seen.

There are larger puppets that are very ornate, but you can find life-size body puppets in the South Wing.

There are puppets that recall art styles and forms from other countries.

There are also some very familiar faces.

And some that are almost familiar, but not quite. (That does not look like King Friday, but that does look like Daniel Striped Tiger. However, there is also information about the influence of Mr. Rogers there, and that is nice.)

Some are more realistic and some are more fanciful.

Admission is free, and that may be for the best as the collection can be viewed very quickly.

However, where the museum may be at its strongest is with the extras, like viewing a play or workshop where children can make puppets.

Then appreciating the art becomes personally applicable.

The web site is not great, but it is worth checking out for those opportunities. In addition, there are some downloadable craft projects.

This Lamb Chop was a gift from Shari Lewis.

Some of the exhibits may be especially interesting for people who have seen them used in Tears of Joy productions.

http://www.puppetmuseum.com/