Visitors will experience the art of Wayne White – including puppet heads, full-size puppets, and prototypes – and learn the creative process and historical context of each one through a series of narrative panels and an exhibition of local history artifacts and archival materials.
Wayne-O-Rama Puppets of Frieda Carter, Luther Masingill, Olan Mills, Adolph Ochs, John Ross, Sequoyah, General William Sherman, Bessie Smith, Mary Edwards Walker, Nancy Ward, and Emma Rochelle Wheeler
Wayne-O-Rama Prototype Maquettes of Lookout Mountain, Dragging Canoe, Bob Brandy, and Bessie Smith
Chattanooga History Archives and Artifacts from the library and partner organizations
National Parks Partners’ “Legends of Chattanooga” puppets
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Opening Reception
Location: Downtown Library, 3rd Floor
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Come get the first look at History Funhouse while you enjoy hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and remarks from some of the artists and exhibition supporters.
Friday, August 25, 2023
Meet & Greet with Wayne White
Location: Downtown Library, 3rd Floor
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Come meet the man, the myth, the legend… Wayne White! Plus, music by Heroes are Horses and refreshments from Chattanooga Whiskey Co. and Chattanooga Brewing Co.
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Stop Motion Animation with Skeleton Key featuring The Bohannons
Location: Downtown Library, 4th Floor
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Come learn about Chattanooga’s own stop motion animation studio, Skeleton Key! Creator Matt Eslinger will show and tell his creative process, with special guests The Bohannons! Click here for more information.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
International Puppetry Presentation
Location: Downtown Library, 4th Floor
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Join us for a special International Puppetry presentation from Atlanta’s Center for Puppetry Arts. Learn about different puppet traditions from around the world, and then stick around to create your own puppet! Click here to reserve free tickets and get more information.
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Beauty Is Embarrassing Screening
Location: Downtown Library, 4th Floor
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Join us for a screening of Beauty is Embarrassing, the exciting documentary film about Wayne White from award-winning director Neil Berkeley. This screening is open to anyone ages 16 and up. Click here to reserve free tickets and get more information.
The amazing Jennifer Crutchfield with National Parks Partners presents: Are You As Smart As a 4th Grader?
Every Saturday, join library and NPP for a fun program that explore 6 historical figures and sites featured in the History Funhouse: The Wayne-O-Rama Story exhibition. Adults are welcome to join their kids, tweens and teens!
This series of workshops will dive into the research, creativity and collaboration behind Wayne-O-Rama.
If you and your little ones attend our 0-5 programming, we want to hear abour you experience!
