Bil Baird: The Art of Puppetry

September 27, 2016 – January 22, 2017
Bil Baird was born in Grand Island Nebraska and grew up in Mason City, Iowa. In his early teens, Baird began creating puppets and giving performances in his parent’s home. After graduating from the University of Iowa and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, he formed the Baird Marionettes, which made their first performance at the 1933-1934 Chicago’s World’s Fair. Most remembered marionettes from Bil Baird’s 60-year career include “Snarky Parker,” “Elsie the Borden Cow,” and the “The Lonely Goatherd” puppets from “The Sound Music.” Five charming Baird puppets were recent gifts to the Museum of Nebraska Art, and comprise the exhibition together with loans from the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum in Mason City.