2008 Woodie Awards
Magic of puppets
Alumnus helps Katrina victims with sock monkeys
Ashley Waite
Issue date: 1/26/06 Section: Features
Bounding back
"Sock Monkey Project 2005" was one of his first projects, immediately reviving "Razzamataz," which included the Colorado Springs community, people all over the country, friends and family to sew over 100 sock monkeys Ballard hand-delivered to the kids of New Orleans on Dec. 19.
"Nearly 100 children under the age of 5 were orphaned and separated from their families by Hurricane Katrina in the city of New Orleans," Ballard said. "This is your chance to lovingly hand-build a sock monkey stuffed toy that will be given to one of these unfortunate kids.
An all new puppet show called "Dr. Razzamataz and His Mystical Medicine Show" debuts April Fools' Day followed by six-week run of performances in the area, including shows for the Children's Cancer Hospital in Denver.
Ballard will also conduct a series of several workshops which will include making sock puppets, musical instruments from trash, recycled lamps and bird house shrines.
"I am also organizing environmental arts camps for kids from New Orleans here in Colorado in partnership with the Kennedy Center," Ballard said. "My new 'Razzamataz' production crew consists of at-risk teens from a special court-appointed program called FutureSelf.
"As artists, it is often hard to go out there and make things happen," said Michael Crane, art center gallery director. "[He] is making things happen and is a great role model to artists and kids alike."
Ballard lives in Colorado Springs where he and his girlfriend continue to share their social commitment to the fine arts with their new community while maintaining their love and inspiration of New Orleans art.
"Sock Monkey Project 2005" was one of his first projects, immediately reviving "Razzamataz," which included the Colorado Springs community, people all over the country, friends and family to sew over 100 sock monkeys Ballard hand-delivered to the kids of New Orleans on Dec. 19.
"Nearly 100 children under the age of 5 were orphaned and separated from their families by Hurricane Katrina in the city of New Orleans," Ballard said. "This is your chance to lovingly hand-build a sock monkey stuffed toy that will be given to one of these unfortunate kids.
An all new puppet show called "Dr. Razzamataz and His Mystical Medicine Show" debuts April Fools' Day followed by six-week run of performances in the area, including shows for the Children's Cancer Hospital in Denver.
Ballard will also conduct a series of several workshops which will include making sock puppets, musical instruments from trash, recycled lamps and bird house shrines.
"I am also organizing environmental arts camps for kids from New Orleans here in Colorado in partnership with the Kennedy Center," Ballard said. "My new 'Razzamataz' production crew consists of at-risk teens from a special court-appointed program called FutureSelf.
"As artists, it is often hard to go out there and make things happen," said Michael Crane, art center gallery director. "[He] is making things happen and is a great role model to artists and kids alike."
Ballard lives in Colorado Springs where he and his girlfriend continue to share their social commitment to the fine arts with their new community while maintaining their love and inspiration of New Orleans art.