Prepare to be amazed and delighted when you visit the Norman Rockwell Museum’s newest exhibit, “Tony Sarg: Genius at Play.” As you approach the museum, you’ll be greeted by a 30-foot inflatable sea monster, which is actually a unique inflatable staff member!
This exhibition is the largest ever showcasing the incredible talent of Tony Sarg. Sarg was an illustrator, puppet master, and a pioneer in animated films. He is most famously known as the designer of the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. You won’t want to miss this exhibit, as it will only be on display until November 5th.
If you’re interested in attending, here are the details:
“Tony Sarg: Genius at Play”
Where: Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road Route 183, Stockbridge, Mass.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Nov. 5
Tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and retired military, $15 for Massachusetts teachers, $10 for college students and free for members, children, and active military. Curator tours of “Genius at Play” are available for an additional $20 per ticket.
More information: Visit www.nrm.org or call 413-931-2221.
The exhibit is aptly named “Tony Sarg: Genius at Play” because humor was a central aspect of Sarg’s work. He was a lifelong collector of toys and chose art over a military career in Germany. His playful mindset became the inspiration for co-curators Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, deputy director and chief curator for the Norman Rockwell Museum, and Lenore D. Miller, curator emerita of the George Washington University Museum in Washington, D.C.
Plunkett explains, “We both wanted to convey that sense of joy that he always expressed in his work and wanted others to feel it. We wanted to find a way that brought Tony Sarg’s spirit to life in the galleries, showcasing his diverse projects and visionary undertakings.”
The exhibit features an interactive shadow puppetry display, toys, marionettes, original drawings, children’s book illustrations, and commercial products from Sarg’s theatrical and commercial career. Archival photographs capture the monumental balloons he designed for Macy’s. In fact, the 30-foot inflatable monster outside the museum is a scaled-down replica of one of Sarg’s balloon designs, which famously fooled residents of Nantucket into thinking a sea monster was lurking off their shores (learn more about this fascinating story here).
Miller reflects on Sarg’s craft, stating, “The fun part is the way he approached his work as if he was enjoying every minute of it. We’ve tried to capture that essence in the exhibition design, creating an engaging and colorful experience.”
Although Sarg was a prominent figure in early 20th-century popular culture, his story was at risk of fading away. His puppeteering legacy includes Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets, who was a student of Sarg’s protege Bil Baird. Sarg’s influence on Macy’s annual parade, with its iconic giant balloons, is undeniable. Yet, the curators emphasize that Sarg’s contribution was largely unknown.
Plunkett explains, “It’s hard to believe that someone as well-known as Tony Sarg, with his face on advertisements, could be forgotten. But over time, his work was dispersed and at risk of being lost.”
In 1942, Sarg passed away at the age of 61 due to complications from appendicitis, three years after declaring bankruptcy. Without a central advocate, his work was scattered. Some marionettes went to Sarg’s staff as payment, while others were sold. His daughter even donated a large collection of his work to a Nantucket thrift shop. Fortunately, some collectors recognized the value of Sarg’s art and kept his work together. However, individual pieces were sold at auctions or galleries.
While the Nantucket Historical Society has received donations of some of Sarg’s pieces, Miller and Plunkett had to do some detective work to locate more of his puppets and illustrations. Finding the marionettes proved to be a particular challenge, but they succeeded in gathering the largest collection of Sarg’s work ever displayed in one place.
Miller marvels at the discovery, saying, “Puppets are somewhat expendable, so it was amazing to find that there were some really important puppets still in existence.”
During their research, Plunkett and Miller found that the only published academic work on Sarg’s life was a thesis by Tamara Hunt, which mainly focused on his puppetry. They turned to old passports and other archival material to uncover details about his early life. To accompany the exhibit, the curators have co-authored a published catalog that sheds light on important aspects of Sarg’s career.
Plunkett expresses her gratitude, stating, “It feels like magic that we were able to bring all of this together and ensure that Tony Sarg’s legacy will continue to thrive.”
