Crankie Workshop with Maggie Winston

Join us for a two-part crankie workshop with puppeteer, artist, and educator Maggie Winston!

What is a crankie?! A crankie is a modern form of picture-based storytelling that has ancient roots. In the 19th century, they were called moving panoramas. Today, puppeteers and other folk artists are experimenting using this art form to tell their own stories. Using an illustrated scroll that is wound onto two spools. The spools are loaded into a box which has a viewing window. The scroll is then hand cranked while the story is told or a song is sung or a tune is played.

In this workshop, participants will create their own crankie boxes with illustrated scrolls that depict a story.

Admission is $30 per person. All materials included and all levels welcome. Click here to reserve your spot.

Part 1: February 15

1. “Introduction to Crankies” presentation
2. Explanation of steps of the project
3. Brainstorming story and images
4. Storyboard sketches

 Part 2: February 22

1. Scroll planning and placing of images
2. Final drawings on scroll
3. Installation of scrolls in the box and testing mechanisms.
4. Short presentations

Maggie Winston is a puppeteer, clown, educator and community engaged artist. She is the Artistic Director of Lost & Found Puppet co. producing original performances utilizing puppetry in many styles, physical theatre, clown, storytelling, music, and other multidisciplinary art practices. L&FPCo explores themes such as family, cultural history, human relationships to objects, nature, and spirituality. There are stories about beaver dreams, wolves drinking tea, the poetry of a Yiddish Montreal writer Rokhl Korn, contemporary bobe-mayses (Jewish folklore) and memories of Bubbe and her recycled quilt.

Accessibility: Please note that this workshop will take place on the second floor, which is accessible via stairwell only.