Jeff Gunstream - Oct. 2007 Artist in Residence

PUPPETS COME TO LIFE
by Joseph C.

Jeff Gunstream and Buttercup entertain the kids!

On October 15th the children of Vision Charter School were visited by a very special person. Jeff Gunstream and his team of hand crafted puppets fascinated the children of all ages with his creativity and humor. Mr. Gunstream has been very interested in puppets since he was a young boy. He uses scraps and garbage to create his numerous puppets. Gunstream's first puppet, Buttercup, was used in an improvisational play with some of the children at the end of the presentation.

Mr. Gunstream also talked about his partnership with Brian Henson, Jim Henson's (creator of the Muppets) son. Gunstream has worked on children's television show Bear in the Big Blue House and helped create characters featured in Disney Theme Park rides and floats. Gunstream has also worked with local performing groups most recently Fiddler on the Roof performed by Music Theatre of Idaho which was recently attended by the 6th and 7th grade students.

The students of Vision Charter School were excited to see the puppet making process in action and were familiar with Mr. Gunstream's work.

Jeff Gunstream visited Vision Charter School as part of our study on puppetry and our Master of the Month, Jim Henson. This month has also featured and in depth study of the book, "The Wizard of Oz," by L. Frank Baum. October's month of interesting characters climaxed with a Wizard of Oz themed party which showcased students dressed as characters from the book.