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RWhitcomb-editor 6/25/24 RWhitcomb-editor 6/25/24

A kind of genius

*From the show* “*Tony Sarg: Genius at Play,”* *now at the* ***Nantucket Historical Association/Whaling Museum.***

Edited from the gallery’s statement:

This is is “the first comprehensive exhibition exploring the life, art, and adventures of Tony Sarg (1880–1942). Known as the father of modern puppetry in North America and the originator of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons, Sarg was a famed illustrator, animator, designer and nimble entrepreneur who summered on, and took inspiration from, Nantucket for nearly 20 years. Organized and in partnership with the Normal Rockwell Museum, in Stockbridge, Mass.’’

RWhitcomb-editor 8/15/23 RWhitcomb-editor 8/15/23

Pinnacle of puppetry

*”Turkey Gobbler Balloon, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1929,’’ by German-American artist Tony Sarg (1880-1942), in the show “Tony Sarg: Genius at Play,’’ at the* ***Norman Rockwell Museum***, *Stockbridge, Mass., through Nov. 5*
*— Photographer unknown, from the collection of the Nantucket Historical Association*

The museum says:

The show “is the first comprehensive exhibition exploring the life, art and adventures of Tony Sarg, the charismatic illustrator, animator, puppeteer, designer, entrepreneur and showman who is celebrated as the father of modern puppetry in North America. His vast knowledge of puppet technology was instrumental in his design of the inaugural Thanksgiving Day parade balloon for Macy’s Department Store, in 1927, as well as subsequent parade balloons and automated displays for the company’s festive holiday windows, which were imitated nationwide. The creator of a host of popular consumer goods, from toys and clothing to home décor, Sarg also envisioned fanciful illustrated maps and created mural designs for the Oasis Cafe in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel.’’