Elizabeth Holden Gallery’s exhibition The Wondrous World Of Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets featuring the work of master puppeteer Hobey Ford will be on view at Warren Wilson College from January 23rd to March 7th, 2025. 

Warren Wilson’s Art Department is excited to host an exhibition of rod, foam, and shadow puppets by the award winning puppeteer, Hobey Ford. On display will be characters, stories and set pieces from a range of tales from Ford’s previous shows including a few puppets from friend and mentor Clyde Hollifield. This exhibition will explore how puppetry can engage the imagination of audiences of all ages, while sharing the process of puppet construction and showcasing Ford’s contributions to the craft. 

Winner of the UNIMA Citation for Excellence and 3 Jim Henson Foundation grants, Hobey Ford is known for his excellence in puppetry performance and craft and his skill as a master storyteller. Hobey utilizes his artistic studies from the State University of New York and UNCA to design and construct all of his Golden Rod puppets. His performances present puppetry styles and tales from around the world and feature puppetry styles he has created such as the Peepers hand puppets and his well-loved “Foamies” puppets made from large blocks of foam with inventive mechanisms to create life-like movements. Hobey tours internationally and trains teachers through his involvement with the Kennedy Center of the Northwest Film Forum. 

The exhibition opening reception is on January 23rd  from 4:30 - 6:00 PM.  The Elizabeth Holden Gallery is open M-F, 10- 4pm and Saturdays 1-4pm.