The Puppeteer Genius

When I was looking for inspiration to create very simple puppets for young children I went straight to the source. Jim Henson brought so much to the world of puppeteering-such simplicity and brilliance wrapped in one. I absolutely love this video.  Thanks, Jim Henson, you will always be an inspiration!

Please Join Skraptacular at Summer Fest at Ann Loftus Park (A train to Dyckman Station) Sunday August 26th from 1-3. We'll  be creating puppets in conjunction with the Swedish Marionette Theater.
Hope to see you all there!

MICHELLE DEL GUERCIO IS NAMED NEW YORKER OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!

We don't have confirmed dates as of yet, but sometime this summer, Skraptacular is going to be the New Yorker of the Week for cable network channel New York 1. Make sure to watch the complete coverage of Skraptacular in action all by the news channel New York 1. Don't miss the show, and see you on TV,
Skraptacular!

Upcoming Events for Skraptacular

Saturday, June 23rd - Skraptacular goes to the Cooper - Hewitt!
Join us as we see beyond the trash! Design functional and beautiful pieces using discarded milk cartons and a variety of other materials. Be inspired by the designs of Skraptacular director Michelle Del Guercio, as she guides participants to repurpose and give new life to trash. Register online at Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt, Design Center

Sunday August 29th- Fort Tryon Summer Fest
Skraptacular will create marionettes in conjunction with the Swedish Puppet Theater at Summer Fest in Fort Tryon Park sponsored by Friends of Fort Tryon Park.

 

                                                                    

 Hello to all Skraptacular followers! This is Gabi, a skraptacular intern here blogging. About a month ago, I won an essay contenst with a prize of 5000 dollars. I wrote a 1-page essay about who my favorite freedom sister was and why. I chose to write my essay about Septima Poinsette Clark. I compared her and how she educated people about racism to how skraptacular educates people about environmental awareness. I explained how skraptacular has changed the way that many people think of the planet just like Ms. Clark did with rights for blacks. Below, I've attached the essay that I wrote, I hope you can read it to learn more about skraptacular and Septima Poinsette Clark.

Freedom’s Sisters Essay

Septima Poinsette Clark

Gabriela Banda                                    330 Haven Ave. #4C                         New York, NY 10033                         212-928-5240

MS 54/ Booker T. Washington      Grade 7

Septima Poinsette Clark was an American educator and a civil rights activist who advanced the struggle for equality. Septima grew up in the early 20th century, as one of eight children and the daughter of a former slave. Although her family had limited resources, she continued her education to become a teacher. She married and had two children. Tragically, both her first baby and her husband died leaving her a widow at a young age. Trying to raise her son, she was not paid the same amount of money as other teachers because of her race. Septima began to fight for her rights as an African – American teacher and was very successful in her protests, although hard fought. She later joined the Charleston County School Board in South Carolina.  Septima had a major impact on the civil rights movement and changed people’s minds about racism and women. Septima Clark and the other Freedom Sisters taught me that you must stand up for what you believe. She was an optimist and was not deterred from trying to make the world a better place for women, African Americans and everyone who wanted an education.  She is now remembered as the “Grandmother of the American Civil – Rights movement.”

As a young girl in New York City, I can take the lessons of Septima Poinsette Clark and apply them to my concern that we are destroying our planet.  Kids breathe polluted, toxic air. Entire ecosystems are at risk. Our consumer culture creates more trash and energy consumption as glaciers melt. NYC has one of the worst recycling records in the nation.  Almost two years ago, I became an intern at Skraptacular, a Washington Heights based, non profit organization.  Skraptacular inspires environmental awareness by working with children to turn trash into art. The art that we make is 100% recycled from everyday trash. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, we created paper mache plastic bottle piggy banks as a fundraiser. We raised $2600 that was donated to an art therapy program working with displaced children living in FEMA trailers. We do workshops at schools, organize Eco fests and participate in efforts to make our city greener. Our goal is to educate kids and families about environmental sustainability.

I feel that fighting to save our planet is the most pressing cause of my generation. Without a clean environment, we will ALL be equally vulnerable. We all need to breathe clean air and drink clean water.   Just like Septima, I believe education can help make society more fair and our planet a better place to live. Septima wanted to educate people about civil rights; the purpose of Skraptacular is to educate people about environmental awareness. Septima said, “I have great belief in the fact that whenever there is chaos, it creates wonderful thinking. I consider chaos a gift.” Septima Clark’s protesting and fighting for many years paid off. She believed she could make a difference and this inspires me to believe in protecting our planet for future generations. 

Our Sprouting Affair: A Skrappy success!

Hi, this is Julie, a Skraptacular intern, writing. Well, the event was a success. From Skip La Plant's   musical instruments fashioned from trash to the other interns running around carrying hors d'ourves, the event was highly enjoyed. With the variety of items auctioned off, it seemed like there was something for everyone. Everyone was mingling, perhaps encouraged by the fact that they were given nametags, making introductions easier. We've come to the conclusion everyone there seemed to really want to be there(we're pretty sure not just for the gift bags, which I must say were pretty incredible) because of the high level of enthusiasm, especially among our Skraptacustars. In one corner of the room hung a tree in which hung 13 stars, each decorated by Skraptacular interns. Michelle's husband Mark was genreous enough to lend us his photography studio for the night, which was decorated to the point that it took on the appearance of an art gallery. The chain link from the "Linking a Community Through Sustainability" project was carefully snaked among the pipes on the ceiling, impressing many. Right before the raffle(in which Susan Carnahan won a 100 dollar gift certificate to Fairway's and John Fortunato won a bottle of wine) Michelle gave a heart-warming speech which clearly depicted her devotion to Skraptacular, although not actually said out loud. Throughout the event, Megan Paznik  was filming, and the footage from the event and others were compiled into a video about Skraptacular that you can see below. The proceeds from the fundraiser went to the video so we hope you enjoy it! There is one last thing that I have not mentioned yet, which may be the most impressive of all. This is that not a single piece of plastic was thrown out or wasted during the event. That is what I call Skraptacu-style. 

 Enjoy this short Skrappy video that sums it all up.

                                                                                            -Julie

Save the Date

Happy Valentines Day Mother Earth

Skraptacular Love Letters to the Planet

Thanks, Gabi for helping and being such fun company!

Linking Communities Through Sustainability

Skraptacular would like to thank the Green Team from the Chinese-American Planning Council in Flushing. This afternoon they graciously helped us decorate Skraptacular planters to use as gifts at our upcoming Skraptacular Sprouting Affair ( March 21st). Thank you, Green Team - They are all so beautiful!

Linking our communities through sustainability!