The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited is a travelling version of the Museum of the Moving Image's permanent exhibit that opened in Seattle in May 2017. The exhibit explores Jim Henson's life, as well as his film and television work, featuring puppets and artifacts donated to MoMI by The Jim Henson Legacy as well as items loaned from The Jim Henson Company's archives. The exhibit is organized by the Museum of the Moving Image, in cooperation with The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, and Sesame Workshop.
Exhibit Features[]
- Over 20 puppets, including Kermit the Frog, Grover, Ernie, Bert, Count von Count, Beautiful Day Monster, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Scooter, the Country Trio (retired from display as of the Peoria, IL stop), Jen, Kira, Aughra, Red Fraggle, Wembley Fraggle, Wilkins and Wontkins as well as the two Pitchman Pumps
- Handwritten scripts from Sam and Friends
- Set models and storyboards
- A life-sized replica of The Muppet Show arches (retired as of the Peoria stop)
- Jareth and Sarah's ballroom costumes from Labyrinth
- Interactive experiences where visitors can design an Anything Muppet and puppeteer for camera
Events[]
Seattle
- "Celebrational Muppetational! Opening Party" (May 19, 2017) with Dave Goelz and Karen Prell [1]
- "Campout Cinema: The Muppet Movie" (May 21, 2017) [2]
- "Campout Cinema: The Dark Crystal" (October 13, 2017) [3]
- "The Art of Puppetry with Cheryl Henson" (October 14, 2017) [4]
Los Angeles
- "Late Night! The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited" (June 1, 2018) with OK Go's Timothy Nordwind [5]
- "Outdoor Movies at the Skirball: The Muppet Movie" (June 29, 2018) [6]
- "Outdoor Movies at the Skirball: Labyrinth" (July 13, 2018) [7]
- "Special Screenings - Doozers and Fraggle Rock" (July 22, 2018), introduced by John Tartaglia, followed by a meet-and-greet with Tartaglia and Gobo Fraggle. [8]
- "Happy Anniversary, Fraggle Rockers" (July 24, 2018), a panel celebrating Fraggle Rock's 35th anniversary with Dave Goelz and Karen Prell, moderated by John Tartaglia [9]
- "Muppet Guys Talking" (August 7, 2018), followed by a Q&A with Bill Barretta [10]
- "The Evolution of Puppetry" (August 21, 2018), a lecture and demonstration on the Henson style of puppetry hosted by Brian Henson [11]
Meridian, MS
- "Jim Henson Panel Discussion" (January 12, 2019), held at Mississippi State University's Riley Center, featuring Cheryl Henson, Bonnie Erickson, and Karen Falk, moderated by Wendell Walker [12]
Albuquerque
- "3rd Thursday: The Dark Crystal" (November 21, 2019), featuring a screening of the film with an introduction and Q&A from Michael McCormick. [13]
- "Public Opening: The Jim Henson Exhibition" (November 23, 2019), featuring a discussion with Cheryl Henson. [14]
- "3rd Thursday: Fraggle Rock" (January 16, 2020), featuring a selection of clips from the show and a presentation by Thomas Newby. [15]
- "Jim Henson: The Biography Lecture" (February 23, 2020), led by Brian Jay Jones. [16]
- "A Celebration of Labyrinth" (March 21, 2020), featuring a screening of the film preceded by a Q&A with Karen Prell. [17]
San Francisco
- "Sunday Stories: Frank Oz, from Fairyland to The Muppet Show" (April 3, 2022)
- "'The Best Idea Wins': Dave Goelz and Larry Mirkin on Creativity and Collaboration" (April 24, 2022)
- "Celebrating Jim Henson and the Art of Puppetry with Cheryl Henson" (May 12, 2022)
- "Sell! Sell! Sell!: The Commercials of Jim Henson" (July 10, 2022) with Karen Falk
- "Labyrinth: Film Screening and Talk with Karen Prell" (July 24, 2022)
Baltimore
- "MCHC Muppet Matinee: The Muppet Christmas Carol with Peter MacKennan" (December 10, 2023) [18]
Peoria
- "Boo-seum: Muppet Monster Mash!", a Halloween party featuring screenings of a selection of Halloween-adjacent Henson material (October 26, 2024)
- "Labyrinth: Costumes and Cocktails", a costume ball featuring a screening of the film. (October 29, 2024)
- "Leslie Carrara-Rudolph: Messy Thinking" (November 24, 2024)
Tour Schedule[]
- 05/20/17 - 02/25/18: Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle, WA) (press release)
- 06/01/18 - 09/02/18: Skirball Cultural Center (Los Angeles, CA) (press release)
- 01/12/19 - 05/04/19: Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience (Meridian, MS)
- 05/24/19 - 09/02/19: Center of Science and Industry (Columbus, OH)
- 11/23/19 - 04/19/20: The Albuquerque Museum (Albuquerque, NM) (press release)
- 10/03/20 - 01/07/21: Durham Museum (Omaha, NE) (press release)
- 06/04/21 - 09/06/21: The Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, MI)
- 03/31/22 - 07/31/22: Contemporary Jewish Museum (San Francisco, CA) (press release)
- 10/01/22 - 01/14/23: Grand Rapids Art Museum (Grand Rapids, MI) press release
- 05/26/23 - 12/30/23: Maryland Center for History and Culture (Baltimore , MD) exhibition site
- 09/28/24 - 01/05/25: Peoria Riverfront Museum (Peoria, IL) museum website
