The Dairy Barn Arts Center

September 30–October 4, 2026

Learn more about visiting artist David Lane at davidlane-theatre.com.

Flexible participation: Attend the full workshop or contribute when you can!

Join visiting artist David Lane for a unique hands-on opportunity to bring a large-scale illuminated puppet to life. Together, participants will create a whimsical glowing creature for The Dairy Barn’s Witch Walk on October 30 and the Honey for the Heart Parade on Halloween. We will also construct smaller illuminated “minions” to travel ahead of the puppet and help set the scene along the parade route.

This workshop was created with many layers of our community in mind, including practicing artists, school art teachers seeking professional development, partner-organization staff, university students, teen leaders, and curious community members interested in learning new skills.

You do not need to attend every day. Join us for the full Wednesday-through-Sunday experience or contribute for a few hours, depending on your availability. Because this is a collaborative project, each participant’s contribution will become part of something much larger.

This opportunity is supported by an Ohio Arts Council ArtsNEXT grant, helping The Dairy Barn bring specialized artistic knowledge to our region, strengthen connections among local makers and educators, and expand our community’s capacity to create ambitious public art together.

Wednesday, September 30 | 1–7 PM

Introduction to the materials, techniques, and collaborative project. Participants will begin learning soaked-reed armature construction, thermoplastic fabrication, articulated joints, and LED lighting.

Thursday, October 1 | 1–7 PM

Work together to construct the large-scale glowing puppet and develop its structure, movement, and character.

Friday, October 2 | 1–7 PM

Build, skin, illuminate, and refine the puppet while exploring paper and fabric skinning, controls, joints, lighting, and movement. Create smaller glowing characters and “minions” to accompany the large puppet during the Witch Walk and Honey for the Heart Parade. 

Saturday, October 3 | 12–4 PM

Complete the puppets, add final details, test lighting and movement, and prepare the creations for their public debut.

Sunday, October 4 | 12–4 PM

Community collaborators are welcome to drop in to help finish, decorate, illuminate, and test the large puppet. No previous puppet-building experience is required.

Please complete the class registration even if you plan to attend only part of the workshop. Registration information helps The Dairy Barn document participation and community impact for the grant.

After registering, we will send a SignUpGenius link to select the days and hours you expect to attend. You may update your availability if your plans change. Each 2-hour time frame will have a 20-person limit.

Financial assistance and full scholarships are available. Contact Education@DairyBarn.org to request a promotional code. We don't want cost to be a barrier to your participation.