333 E River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States
Additional Details
The art of papercutting has a long and diverse history, evolving from traditional crafts to a recognized art form. Its origins trace back to ancient China, where the technique was developed shortly after the invention of paper during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). Papercutting spread to various cultures, including Japan, where it became known as "kirigami," and to Europe in the 16th century, particularly in Switzerland and Germany, where it was known as "Scherenschnitte." In the context of art history, papercutting has been used for various purposes, from decorative folk art to more sophisticated artistic expressions. The medium's delicate and intricate nature allows artists to explore themes of fragility and detail, often reflecting cultural narratives and personal stories. American artist, Kara Walker, has notably revitalized the art of papercutting by using it to address complex and provocative themes. See her work on view in the exhibition, Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated).
Drop-in, Self-Guided Art Activity
Each month, WAM presents a self-guided art-making activity inspired by an art piece or artist from the museum's collection. Everything you need to make your own masterpiece is provided and the activity is designed to be accessible and open to all. Drop-in during open hours and get creative!
Monkeybear's Harmolodic Workshop image courtesy of Bruce Silcox
Monkeybear's Harmolodic Workshop
Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop supports Native, Black, and IPOC in developing creative and technical skills in contemporary puppetry through workshops and developmental programs.
Erica Warren is a Black and Chamaru (Chamorro | Guam) illustrator, graphic designer and puppeteer. Erica was born and raised in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She found puppetry amidst the pandemic, which ignited a passion for shadow puppetry and the art of storytelling. In the following years, she incorporated her illustrative and graphic arts into her puppetry and explored many mediums. Erica has participated in Impact Theory of Mass Extinction (2022) Monkeybear Harmolodic Workshop (2022), New Puppet Works (2023), Full Moon Puppet Show (2022) and Puppetlab (2024). She currently lives in South Minneapolis.
Jonathan Boyd is an illustrator, film photographer, printmaker and puppet artist. After participating in Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop puppetry intensive in 2022, they went on to be a part of Monkeybear’s 2023 New Puppet Works cohort. Johnathan also performed with Valleyfair’s Tricks-And-Treats Halloween event and OpenEye Theater’s PuppetLab. With origins in the Twin Cities and Red Lake Nation, Johnathan currently lives and creates in south Minneapolis.
Luis Lopez grew up near the Texas-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley. He enjoys writing fiction and non-fiction essays as well as gossiping about NBA rumors. He has been involved with puppetry since participating in the 2017 Monkeybear Harmolodic Summer Intensive Workshop.
Tim Blighton is a poet, painter, sidewalk chalk artist, stencil artist and puppeteer. A 2024 Monkeybear Harmolodic Workshop Intensive graduate, he has performed at Open Eye Theatre, Pillsbury House Theatre and In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. Tim lives with his wife and kids in the East Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Atim Opoka, Sound designer (They/She) is a Ugandan-American multidisciplinary artist. Who fuses Afro-pop and alternative beats while embracing the power of transformative storytelling. They are a 2024 Naked Stages Fellow, 2023 Jerome Hill Artist Fellow, TRCSTR 2023 Artist, a 2021 recipient of a Waters Award, as well as an Our Space is Spoken For Fellowship from the Twin Cities Media Alliance. She's inspired to share authentic stories. Amplifying marginalized people taking their power back by telling their stories. She believes that everyone has the power of being an artist. Storytelling is a birthright. It all depends on the environment that surrounds the individual.
