Update: Jim Henson Exhibits in 2009

ATLANTA, GA: The Center for Puppetry Arts is currently hosting three Jim Henson exhibits “on long term display”: Jim Henson: A Man and His Frog, Jim Henson: Wonders from His Workshop, and Jim Henson: Puppeteer.

The Center also offers a “special, in-depth, guided tour” every Saturday and Sunday: The Life and Legacy of Jim Henson.

And The Center’s film series includes special screenings of Puppet Up! Uncensored: Live in Melbourne, Australia (4.25.2009), Labyrinth (6.06.2009, hosted by Heather Henson), Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas (12.05.2009), The Dark Crystal (1.16.2010), Follow That Bird (2.13.2010), and The Jim Henson Hour Presents “Dog City” (3.06.2010).

The Center will be announcing future Muppets/Henson-related guests as part of the “Jim Henson Guest Speaker Series.”

Visit Puppet.org for more details.

ORLANDO, FL: The Orange County Regional History Center is hosting the touring exhibit, Jim Henson’s Fantastic World through May 3rd, 2009. Visit TheHistoryCenter.org for more details, including a downloadable podcast about the exhibit. You can also see previews and reports on the exhibit on TheLedger.com, LaughingPlace.com, YouTube.com (via Orlando Attractions Magaine), Flickr.com, NPR.com, MuppetCentral.com, and Jim Hill Media. And furthermore, they are also hosting the related event Muppets, Music, and Magic: The Jim Henson Legacy through April 5th, 2009 featuring TV/movie screenings, archival media, and guest speakers such as Cheryl Henson. Their March 29th event will include a screening of Muppets From Space with special guest Muppeteer John Kennedy, who has performed Dr. Teeth, Animal, and other Muppet characters.

UPDATE 3.21.2009: The Orlando Sentinel reports that Steve Whitmire, the current puppeteer and voice of Kermit the Frog (as well as other Muppet characters), will introduce screenings April 4-5 at the Orange County Regional History Center:

On April 4, he’ll appear at the 3 p.m. session called “A Better World: Living in Harmony” and the 8 p.m. screening of Labyrinth. On April 5, Whitmire will be at the 3:30 p.m. session titled “The Art of Puppetry and Storytelling” and the 8 p.m. screening of The Dark Crystal.

Jim Henson’s daughter, Heather Henson, has also been announced as a guest.

Update 4.06.2009: Muppet Central forum member “jeremyactor” has posted a report on Steve Whitmire’s appearance at the Orlando event. Jeremy says he will be uploading some photos soon as well.

Additional photo, video, and audio previews of the event have also been added above.

SEATTLE, WA: The Experience Music Project / Science Fiction Museum will host Jim Henson’s Fantastic World from May 23rd – August 9th, 2009. Visit EMPSFM.org for more information.

Jim Henson’s Fantastic World is sponsored by The Smithsonian Institute, and will continue its tour through 2011. The Smithsonian’s official site for the exhibit [link: SITES.SI.edu] offers enough content to keep fans entertained for hours, and you can view the upcoming tour schedule there as well. They also have a Facebook page with related events calendar and photo gallery.