Center for Puppetry Arts to Present WORLD'S ABSOLUTELY MOST OLDEST PUPPER EVER

Though it has served as a cultural landmark in Atlanta for more than 35 years, the Center for Puppetry Arts has discovered possibly definitive proof that its beloved Midtown site has always been a home for puppets. Earlier this month, while crews were working on a highly anticipated renovation and expansion project to build a new Museum, a discovery was made of a previously unknown and obviously very old puppet.

"We've always considered our grounds to be very special and are honored to have introduced hundreds of thousands of patrons to puppetry, but this really is the find of a lifetime. Just imagine - our distant ancestors might have played with puppets just like our current patrons do when they visit us. Puppetry really can link through the ages!" exclaimed founding Executive Director Vincent Anthony. He continued "We've invited our curatorial staff as well as independent experts to explain what this could mean, but either way it's very exciting!"

"Yah, this is obviously a very old, very much loved, and probably very fun puppet" noted Professor Bert Nernieson. "Look at his eyes - the stories that he could tell. He might have entertained cave persons or possibly even dinosaurs. Perhaps he is a cultural ancestor of some of our modern traditions. We shall have to run many tests with machines that go 'bing'."

Some critics, however, were skeptical, "I don't know and maybe it's just me, but it just doesn't look very 'puppety' to me. I mean can a rock really be a puppet?" complained Dr. N. O. Itall. "YES!" quickly retorted Prof Nernieson, "That's the beauty of puppetry- anything that can be brought to life to tell a story can become a puppet. The only limit is truly the imagination. Puppetry is more than just 8 foot tall sock puppets or shows for kids. After all, look at the ancient shadow puppetry traditions of Asia or the mask work of some Native American tribes."

The discovery did not slow down construction on the Center's new Museum. Set to open in Fall 2015, the new museum space will feature expanded exhibit areas for both a Global Collection and the Jim Henson Collection. These new exhibitions will be immersive and interactive, allowing guests of all ages to explore puppetry in new ways, challenging preconceptions and giving a new appreciation of the global scope and universal power of the art form. As part of this project, the Center is also protecting and preserving hundreds of international and Henson treasures for future generations to enjoy and understand.

Fear not: the Center for Puppetry Arts will remain open throughout the renovation process, continuing normal programming for puppetry patrons. Information on supporting the Center's expansion campaign is available online at www.puppet.org/BelieveInMakeBelieve.