Getting Scrappy
Mike Ditka the dog and Clint suddenly find themselves composed of socks, glue, and various fabrics.
On a recent Saturday, I woke up and began loading the car before sunrise and while Mike Ditka the dog was still sleeping soundly. I filled the car with hundreds of old socks. Dozens belonged to our family, but many dozens more belonged to people who donated their old, but freshly laundered, socks. People donated more than socks too. They gave straws, cardboard tubes, buttons, fabric, and more. We received donations of googly eyes and an entire tub of feathers. What was all this stuff for? These were the ingredients we needed to foster connection.
While Mike Ditka the dog was waking up to find his breakfast had already cooled to room temperature, Clint Stone Creative Projects (CSCP) was setting up Science Museum Oklahoma’s DiscoverFest . With an enthusiastic team consisting of the legendary teacher and puppeteer, BC Summers, John and Ellen of Southern Plains Productions, and Pandy and Allin who I have learned to rely on for help so many times over the years, we knew we were going to have a very active day ahead. We just did not know exactly what to expect. Soon we were all set up. The science museum had waived all admissions fees for the day, and invited dozens of community partners, like us, to help facilitate new experiences. For our activity, we invited everyone to join us at our large table where “(almost) anything can become a puppet!” At 9am, the museum opened. Guests streamed in surveying all of their activity options, then a few young makers and new families stopped by to construct puppets. Soon a few became many.
What unfolded over the following hours was amazing, yet exactly what we intended. With a huge mix of materials, subtle guidance, an assortment of adhesives, encouragement to try new stuff, and freedom to interpret, everyone was invited to construct a puppet.
People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds would share the same table, supplies, tools, and adhesives. This was the real power of the activity. The CSCP team would help people get started and would observe what was happening at the table, adjusting layout to increase accessibility to supplies and tools. We had a keen focus on safety, ensuring tools were being used with the proper caution and some things were out of reach of some of the youngest hands. Mostly though, we tried to offer encouragement and bring attention to some clever or innovative ideas being tried. Our goal was not to teach people how to make a puppet. Our goals were: 1.) to encourage people to look for opportunities to express themselves; 2.) to help people find resources in all of the material around them; 3.) create an environment where people interacted and saw that there were many paths to accomplish the same thing.
The generosity of community could be seen in various yarn, fabric stickers, and thread available at the table.
There was no model example of what a successful puppet looked like. In fact, as some supplies became less available, puppets became more innovative. Participating puppet makers would often share a resource even if it was scarce to help someone else’s puppet get made. Not surprising it was often the younger makers who were quick to offer a rare supply. They would also offer a compliment or show how they did something when a neighbor seemed confused. Soon the older makers took the hint from the youngsters. With their practiced dexterity, adults would sometimes stretch fabric, so a child could more easily cut it. Adolescent makers would join and drop their quiet guard. These makers embraced their youthful curiosity. They modeled their creativity and would lend the occasional hand or guidance to those around them.
Throughout the day, there was not once jealously expressed over what someone else had. There was not fighting for limited supplies. There was not disappointment in not being able to do something beyond current skills. What we did witness was the desire to see each other succeed. We saw the willingness to slow individual progress to help a neighbor find a certain colored button or share how they threaded a chenille stem through a piece of fabric. We saw former strangers share a puppet stage to improvise a show. We heard helpful phrases and lots of laughter. Together we embraced a little silliness, as upon completion the newly completed puppets would race to the nearby bubble activity gobbling up soapy bubbles as they wafted through the air.
Though the activity was called “(Almost) Anything Can Be A Puppet,” the intention of the activity was about making connections. Science Museum Oklahoma’s DiscoverFest itself and many other arts and culture events, such as symphonic performances at the park, are often framed as providing access, and they do. These experiences also do something just as important, maybe even more important. They provide opportunities for connection. They show us the value of experience and community. They show us that our similarities will always be greater than our differences, while giving us the opportunity to celebrate each other for our individuality.
The puppets created had as much character and individuality as the people making them.
Assorted scraps, a couple socks, and a tub of buttons, make more than puppets. These things make an opportunity to work together and alongside each other to make something new.
At the end of the day after we had seen so many people and watched so creations spring to life, we swept up feathers and pom-poms from the grass, loaded up our supplies, and packed our cars.
Once I arrived at home, Mike Ditka the dog helped me put everything back into its place and we treated ourselves to ice cream. I reflected on what had happened that day. The day seemed magical, but I recognize that connection is something that must be sustained and made in many places. We can make connections, but if those connections are made in the same place over and over, we have not woven community. Connection is strongest when it is woven with many intersecting points like a wide net.
Puppet Mike Ditka the dog and Clint taking a moment to rest and recharge