Puppetry NOW with Atlanta’s Raymond Carr: A Must-See Exhibit at the Center for Puppetry Arts
“Hey there! Thanks for coming to my exhibition!” That’s how Raymond Carr, Atlanta’s very own puppet master and creative genius, seems to greet you the moment you step into Puppetry NOW at the Center for Puppetry Arts. No, he’s not there waving from behind a curtain (that I know of), but this entire exhibition feels like a conversation with the artist himself. The statements that accompany the work are playful, self-aware, and just the right amount of quirky. They’re more like notes from your funny friend than the typical “serious artist” prose and honestly, I wouldn’t expect anything else from the man behind the AFLAC Duck.
Stepping into the exhibit, the mood is set instantly with dim lighting to draw your focus to the stars of the show—the puppets themselves. Among the stars of the exhibition are some of Carr’s most iconic creations including The Hotdogs from Jim Henson’s improv show Puppet Up, footage of the AFLAC Duck, and puppet recreations of the Adult Swim animated show Smiling Friends. The exhibit also offers a peek into Carr’s creative process with behind the scenes photos and a Waldo Rig.
Carr’s fingerprints are everywhere, from projects with Nick Jr. and Hulu to Disney Plus and HBO MAX, the list goes on. I was blown away by everything, but the puppet I most want to see in action one day is his giant SPACEMAN puppet inspired by NASA’s Lunar Rover that takes 7 people to operate.
Carr’s work isn’t just imaginative—it’s deeply rooted in his story.
“Growing up in Atlanta, I never imagined I’d one day have my own exhibition at the Center for Puppetry Arts,” Carr said. “This is where my passion for storytelling through puppets began, and seeing my work celebrated in my hometown is an absolute dream come true.”
The opening night of Puppetry NOW featured a film screening. It was a compilation of short films, commercials, a never-before-seen pilot from The Jim Henson Company, and more. The screening was an hour of cool projects that Carr has been involved in ranging from a Little Tybee music video and a Meta Superbowl commercial to scenes from the show Six Degrees with Mike Rowe that Carr created on his own during the Covid lockdown in 2020.
As if he doesn’t have enough titles and roles already, Carr, the filmmaker, theatrical director, designer, and Puppeteer is (any day now) going to be a father. Given that the baby’s due date was the following day, love and excitement were in the air that evening. There were a lot of jokes about us potentially witnessing a birth at The Center for Puppetry Arts - a very cute and special addition to this event!
The exhibition is on view from January 17 through March 16, 2025. Whether you come for the LazyTown nostalgia, the artistry, or just a good laugh, Puppetry NOW is a must-see. And when you read Carr’s artist statements, don’t be surprised if you find yourself grinning and thinking, “Wow, this guy? I’d totally grab a coffee with him.”
Want to witness the live nonsense Raymond Carr has been producing on stage for the past two decades, rolled up into a twisted casserole of delightful, dark, hilarious subversion and disturbing absurdity for adults of all shapes and sizes? Catch The Ninja Puppet Shenaniganza: Raymond vs. Raymond this June. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and all the stuff in between.
Exhibition: Puppetry NOW
Dates: January 17–March 16, 2025
Tickets: Included with admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum (16.50 for non-members and free for members)
Performances: ‘The Ninja Puppet Shenaniganza: Raymond vs. Raymond’
Dates: June 5–15, 2025 (Thursdays–Sundays)
Tickets: $18.50 (non-members) / $15.75 (members)
