WHERE: Art House Productions, 345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302
“This collaboration with Puppet Heap has been an extraordinary journey. The team
behind these beautifully crafted puppets will showcase their featured short
films for the Jersey City Community. The pop-up exhibit in the Art House
Gallery this past January introduced The Heap, a walking puppet, to new
audiences and now those visitors can experience The Heap come to life! As a
home for both visual and performing arts, Art House is thrilled to continue
this partnership with Puppet Heap,” says Sunjay Venkatraman, Art House
Productions Marketing Director.
“We are thrilled to announce that The Heap is taking a major step forward,
moving from concept to immersive experience, " says Cindy Campos Alves, Business Development
& Marketing Director. Our short films have provided a glimpse into The
Heap’s lore, and when he first made his debut, our social media platforms
exploded with engagement. It's clear: the time has come to connect the Heap and
his world directly with the community. The Heap—an old, burdened man carrying
the weight of the world on his back—has become an allegory for the struggles we
all face and the interconnectedness of society. Until now, we’ve had limited
opportunities to engage audiences in his story. We are excited to create spaces
where people can meet The Heap face-to-face, explore the weight he carries, and
connect with his journey in a personal way. Through puppetry and digital media,
we aim to provide an immersive storytelling experience that allows each
audience member to see their own life reflected in The Heap’s world. Every
interaction helps to deepen the connection to the community, adding a new layer
to his story. As we continue working toward a longer form of media, we’re committed
to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can see themselves in
The Heap's journey.”
The program features the screening of a series of short films: Omar’s
Mother, Ye Ballade of Ivan Petrofsky Skevar, Mother Hubbard Among Others,
and I
Knew and Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly.
Narrating this program is Puppet Heap’s walking puppet, The Heap, the brainchild of Hoboken artist Paul Andrejco, that
was 30 years in the making. As described in an NJ.com article, The Heap is an
eccentric old man who is the guide and storyteller for the puppets of the
mythical town of Spudbottom. In a feature with TapInto, Andrejco has said “The
Heap is a reflection of the fact that we all carry a lot of stuff with us and
as we get older it just keeps building."
Event Page:
https://bit.ly/PuppetHeapAtArtHouse
Meet/Shop the Pop-Up Exhibit
Featured Puppets: Puppet Heap at Art House
Puppet Heap Website: www.puppetheap.com
ABOUT PUPPET HEAP
Puppet Heap is a unique design and production studio based in
Hoboken, specializing in storytelling through the creation of iconic characters
for various media, including film, television, advertising, theater, and new
media. Founded by artist, designer, filmmaker, and professor Paul Andrejco, the
company began in the early ‘90s beneath a burgeoning “heap” of puppets in his
small Hoboken apartment. Now, just a few blocks away, Puppet Heap is home to
teams of talented artists, designers, writers, and producers who create
character-based narratives for clients around the world, including The Walt
Disney Company, Sesame Workshop, and Nickelodeon.
Puppet Heap is also honored to be entrusted with the care,
maintenance, and creative support for Disney’s The Muppets Studio since 2006.
Puppet Heap takes pride in local roots, and you may have spotted
our Heap walking the streets of Hoboken last year. Whether it's designing new
characters or maintaining beloved classics, Puppet Heap continues to bring
great stories to life.
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES
Art House Productions is dedicated to providing an inclusive experience for
all. Accessibility features include:
●
Wheelchair-accessible seating
●
ASL interpretation upon request (2 weeks'
notice required)
●
Audio description for blind and low-vision
patrons upon request (2 weeks' notice required)
●
Service animals welcome
●
Fully accessible restrooms
For specific accommodations, contact us at 201-579-0532 or email
Meredith Burns at Meredith@arthouseproductions.org. We are here to help ensure
your visit is comfortable and enjoyable.
