Berkshire Art Center Hosts April Vacation “Giant Parade Puppets” Program for Young Artists

STOCKBRIDGE, MA — Berkshire Art Center (BAC) will offer a lively and imaginative April Vacation program, Giant Parade Puppets, for students ages 8 and up, April 20–24, 2026, at Citizens’ Hall in Stockbridge. The workshop will be led by artist and educator Eric “Homeslice” Weiss.

During the week-long program, students will design and build larger-than-life parade puppets, sculpting giant puppet heads and mounting them on wooden frames with fabric arms and hand rods to create towering characters. Inspired by global parade traditions—from Chinese New Year dragon puppets to the whimsical creations of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—students will learn about the art, engineering, and storytelling behind these festive forms while collaborating on their own imaginative designs.

The program will conclude with a puppet performance for family and friends on BAC’s lawn. Puppets will then be stored by BAC so students can return to march with them in Pittsfield’s Annual Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2026.

The program runs Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

For more information or to register, visit berkshireartcenter.org. Thank you to our Sponsors: Mass Cultural Council, Feigenbaum Foundation, Lee Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Mill Town, Berkshire Bank, and Rotary Club of Pittsfield