Children and adults involved in mentor programmes on the Island will get a special treat this weekend with puppetry workshops offered by the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA).

Puppeteer Alexander Winfield is offering the workshops for children ages eight years old and up, with their mentors from Big Brothers and Big Sisters, YouthNet and other programmes.

Mr. Winfield is a Bermudian-born puppeteer who has travelled the world with his work, performing across Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.

He has worked with puppets during street festivals, in the theatre, on television and film. He designs his own puppets and theatrical productions, and his work has garnered acclaim whenever it is seen.

The workshops are on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Mr. Winfield will introduce participants to the wonderful, engaging world of puppetry," said Lisa Rego, assistant gallery director of the BSoA.

In the morning, Mr. Winfield will offer a brief history of world puppetry, followed by a quick course in simple puppet building.

Participants will learn how to build a wide variety of puppet types from easy-to-use and safe materials such as cloth, paper, tape and bamboo.

In the second half of the day, participants will take the puppets they build in the morning and be guided through the basics of puppet performance and storytelling.

Participants will also design and perform their own short, original puppet play.

For a registration form, please contact the BSoA on 292-3824 or bsoa@ibl.bm. Alternatively, stop into their gallery on the top floor of City Hall in Hamilton today between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.