Puppetry / Masks — Arcadia Trueheart

Puppetry & Masks: magic in the shadows

Masks and puppets have the spirit and energy to support a revolution, conjure characters and stories into being, and celebrate important community traditions. There is magic in this work. When I sculpt a mask or puppet, I feel the character emerge on its own beneath my hands. These objects, when animated by performers, express a vivid and raw presence that connects with all ages. Puppetry is accessible: it can march through the streets or fit on any stage and, most importantly, it allows the viewer to fill in the shadows with their own imagination.

Large-scale puppets

Orfeo in Underland with Renegade Opera, 2021, 12’x 30’, paper maché, acrylic paint, and fabric (photo credit: Tom Lupton)

Orfeo in Underland with Renegade Opera, 2021, 12’x 30’, paper maché, acrylic paint, and fabric (photo credit: Tom Lupton)

Orfeo in Underland with Renegade Opera, 2021, 12’x 30’, paper maché, acrylic paint, and fabric (photo credit: Tom Lupton)

What do you want to animate?

Bring the power and magic of masks and puppetry to your performance, celebration, or cause for justice.

Commission a puppetry or masks

Masks

Fury, 2019, 12” x 7”, paper mache and acrylic paint — Fury, 2019, 12” x 7”, paper mache and acrylic paint

Wise One, 2015, 12” x 6”, paper mache and acrylic paint — Wise One, 2015, 12” x 6”, paper mache and acrylic paint

Henri, 2015, 12” x 8”, paper mache and acrylic paint — Henri, 2015, 12” x 8”, paper mache and acrylic paint

The Questioner, 2015, 20” x 10”, paper mache and acrylic paint — The Questioner, 2015, 20” x 10”, paper mache and acrylic paint

The Children, 2019, 7” x 5”, paper mache and acrylic paint — The Children, 2019, 7” x 5”, paper mache and acrylic paint

Shadow puppetry

The Constellation of Our Hands, 2020, Razor-cut paper and gel lights

Hogar es Dónde Entiendo/Home is Where I am Understood for Fertile Ground Festival, 2018, Razor-cut paper and gel lights

Mother Mary from She is Fierce with Enso Theatre Ensemble, 2018, razor-cut paper and gel lights

The Constellation of Our Hands, 2020, razor-cut paper and gel lights

Richard III from She is Fierce with Enso Theatre Ensemble, 2018, razor-cut paper

Foxes in a Den, 2020, detail, razor-cut paper and gel lights

Foxes in a Den, 2020, razor-cut paper and gel lights

I organized a group of over 25 Portlanders to construct this giant paper mache puppet for the 2017 Women's March

The Rising Phoenix from behind: 10' hand-stitched tail and bed sheet wings painted with acrylic

Taking a turn as one of five people needed to support the Phoenix puppet

Blueprint design for a paper mache piece honoring migrant workers to be marched at the May Day March in Portland, OR

Working at Bread & Puppet Theater in Vermont 2015

In-process paper mache mask

Building up the mold for a giant paper mache puppet at Bread & Puppet Theater

Puppet construction: setting the final parts

Trying out the structure of a new puppet before adding the outfit

Simple 2D puppet characters for a short film

Up-close of a paper puppet made for a short film

The base mold for the Blessed Spirit puppet for the Orfeo in Underland opera

Priming the finished paper mache Blessed Spirit head

Adding some final touches on the Blessed Spirit paper mache head

Portraits