Puppeteer returns to Art in the Open with new installation

Jamie Shannon is making a return visit to P.E.I. asone of the artists taking part in Art in the Open Saturday.

The puppet makerwill be showcasing the art installation Gauntlet in the annual festival.

The piece will be in Charlottetown'sVictoria Park and is described by Shannon as an amazing vision.

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"You can't just look at it so easily, you have to collect three tokens from three costumed characters and each of them will present a challenge, a test one of fear, one of bravery and one of self-reflection."

Shannon, who calls Toronto home, said once the three tokens are collected "you are gifted a view of the amazing vision."

The amazing thing about something like Art in the Open is everyone can experience the art.- Jamie Shannon

Shannon has been working on the art installation with Salvatore Salamone, who was driving from Los Angeles with two of the costumes he made for the piece.

"These costumes I'm so excited to see. He has been working on them all summer."

Shannon said Salamone is an experienced and talented costume maker who has worked with Katy Perry, MileyCyrus and Janet Jackson.

"We're excited to be take up a whole portion of the Victoria woods and we're going to make this little gauntlet."

Shannon was part of the creation of March of the Crows at the first Art in the Open. The march is a still a popular featureof the festival.

Early love of puppets

Shannon, whose long list of job titles includes actor, director, writer and producer said he is mainly a puppet-maker and puppeteer.

He told Mainstreet P.E.I. host Karen Mair his love of puppets came from growing up when Jim Henson's work was popular.

"I kind of was a lover of creatures and it was probably my timing in life with Jim Henson and the Muppet Show and Sesame Street and Yoda and creatures and Star Wars and all that kind of stuff. I think that's where it all began."

Shannon said he started making puppets and never stopped, using them to bring things alive.

"Anything can be a puppet."

Shannon said he has made everything from finger puppets to giant puppets.

"I kind of love the inanimate, I kind of love making things."

Shannon said he enjoys taking part in events like Art in the Open because he likes creating art for people, not galleries.

"The amazing thing about something like Art in the Open is everyone can experience the art and they're not feeling self-conscious of people watching them or of the need to understand it. They can just kind of interact with it."

Saturday's Art in the Open runs from 4 p.m. to midnight in Victoria Park.

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