KuklaFest 2020

Second Annual Conference
May 1-3, 2020

In 1945, Burr Tillstrom introduced the art of puppetry to a painting school and summer retreat called OxBow. Over the next 35 years, Burr attracted puppeteers from around the country to meet there.

Today, Oxbow School of Art and Artists' Residency welcomes puppeteers back for KuklaFest, the second annual conference and retreat for artists to share their work and sharpen their skills.

KuklaFest is set at the OxBow Lagoon surrounded by 700 acres of pristine nature preserve on the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck, Michigan.

The three-day conference includes all meals, with choices for a variety of dietary preferences, 24-hour snack and beverage service, and single or double occupancy rooms.

KuklaFest is an intimate retreat for the serious puppeteer with in-depth classes and lectures on various aspects of the art of puppetry by professionals in the field.

Schedule

We're just starting to pin down the schedule now... so stay tuned for more specifics and updates coming soon! 

Friday

10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Check-in at the Dining Hall 

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Lunch 

We will have a few workshops, dinner, performances, time for socializing with your fellow puppeteers, and more! 

Saturday

9:00 am - 10:00 am 
Breakfast in the Dining Hall 

​1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Lunch 
​
The day will be full of workshops, performances, breaks to eat, socialize, and enjoy the OxBow campus. Then we'll wrap it up with a Puppet Cabaret. 

Sunday

9:00 am - 10:00 am 
Breakfast in the Dining Hall 

​1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Lunch 

Sunday we'll have a nice leisurely start to the day with breakfast, followed by the group photo, a workshop, and then we're going to enjoy a cook-out. 

Relax

There will be plenty of time to perform and enjoy performances, explore the beautiful OxBow campus, or just kick back and relax into conversation with your puppetry palls. 

OxBow School of Art and Artists Residency 
3435 Rupprect Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

​This ground-breaking event is held at the OxBow School of Art and Artists’ Residency in beautiful Saugatuck, Michigan. Founded in 1910, the OxBow Campus is situated on the Oxbow Lagoon off Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. On 160 acres of wooded preserves, the facilities include an inn with kitchen and dining hall surrounded by buildings for lodging, artists studios, and performance areas.