Millennium Artist:
Michelle Berne
Sculptor / Performance Artist
California
E-mail: celarts@earthlink.net

During her Artists & Communities residency, sculptor and performance artist Michelle Berne worked with local residents and members of Growth Thru Art, an arts center for individuals with disabilities, to design and create large-scale puppets. The puppets were incorporated into major public events including St. Patrick's Day Celtic Celebrations, Dance Showcase 2000, May Clay Day, the Montana Special Olympics, and the Big Sky Millennium Festival.

For four months, Berne worked with more than 40 Growth Thru Art (GTA) artists with disabilities, staff, and community volunteers. Berne facilitated the design and construction of six giant puppets, that were 12 - 15 feet tall, as well as the creation of 64 original Moveable Art Banners and Pennants. Berne also gave a series of public workshops and lectures, several at MSU-Billings, educating art instructors and artists about giant puppet-building techniques and how to facilitate community arts activities.

The first two giant puppets, the Montana Cowboy Leprechaun and Water Sprite, debuted at the March 11, 2000 St. Patrick's Celtic Celebration. During this event, thousands of residents from across the state gathered in Billings to celebrate the 19th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This year's party centered around the two monumental sculptural puppets inspired by local Celtic history. GTA artists served as Parade Marshals, while others manned the giant puppets and acted as spotters.

In April, Dance Showcase 2000 came vibrantly alive as the Phoenix giant puppet made its premiere flight, along with GTA's Spirit Flight Dancers and dancers from five different communities.

Berne facilitated the creation of three additional puppets, including Zuesish, the Wind-Weather Spirit, and the Sun God, a prototype for individuals confined to wheelchairs. GTA artists also created Moveable Banners and Pennants for the Big Sky Millennium Festival in late May. This "Moveable Art" project involved hand printing and hand painting 64, 3 x 4 foot pageant banners. Berne and the GTA artists began this process by attending the International Kite Exhibition at the Billings Airport. This field trip gave the artists an opportunity to research "sky art" and to gain inspiration for painting the banners.

At the Big Sky Millennium Festival, events included kite-flying and building workshops, demonstrations, and a Giant Puppet and Moveable Art Parade. The puppets also appeared at a "No Boundaries" art exhibition and artist reception held in honor of GTA artists accepted into this regional show sponsored by Very Special Arts in Washington, DC.

GTA artists and residency participants emerged from their experience with the know-how to operate the puppets and the techniques to build additional figures. The six giant puppets created during Berne's residency also made an appearance at the Montana State Special Olympics in June. In July, they appeared at a statewide celebration for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MILLENNIUM ARTIST BIO