Muppets creator Jim Henson and his Atlanta Legacy

Almost thirty years ago, Vincent Anthony opened the doors to Atlanta’s own Center for Puppetry Arts. Cutting the ribbon that day was personal friend and Center supporter Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and world renowned for his puppetry genius. Over the next ten years Henson would visit the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts and donate his time, talents and name to the organization. After his death in 1990, Henson’s family continued to support the Center, which is the largest of its kind in the United States. Recognizing the importance of the Center’s mission to entertain and enlighten audiences, nurture the world community of artists, expand the puppetry art form, and explore the past, present, and future of puppetry, Henson family members have donated their personal collection of Muppet memorabilia to the Center.

Visit the Center for Puppetry Arts website for more information at www.puppet.org

The Center for Puppetry Arts plans to open a new Jim Henson Wing in 2012. The facility will allow visitors to “travel to his early days on local Washington, DC television, proceed through the creation of the world-famous Muppets, and then journey into the breath-taking worlds of his fantasy films.” This exciting project will only be possible if the Center is able to raise the funds for the new building, which is designed to house hundreds of artifacts from Jim Henson’s personal collection. Until the new wing is complete, visitors can enjoy exhibits featuring some of the collection including “Jim Henson: A Man and His Frog” and “Jim Henson: Puppeteer.”