A talk with one of the island’s most accomplished living artists will close out a landmark exhibition of his work at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Residents have been invited to join Michael Frith in conversation at the Earl Cameron Theatre on August 15 to celebrate The Art of Michael K Frith: From Pencil to Puppet.

The exhibition, which displays over 350 items including original sketches for Dr Seuss, The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock alongside a host of puppets, has been a source of inspiration for many since it opened last October.

It has brought in record-breaking visitor numbers and more than 100 school tours, alongside professional development days for teachers, puppet-making workshops and even a visit from King Charles III.

Mr Frith will be joined on stage by Lisa Henson, the chief executive of The Jim Henson Company, and, like Mr Frith, a former president of the Harvard Lampoon, as well as puppeteers Kathryn Mullen and Jennifer Barnhart, with whom he has collaborated throughout his career.

After spending a decade at Random House, where he worked as editor-in-chief and art director for the Dr Seuss I Can Read All By Myself Beginner Books, Mr Frith worked at Jim Henson Productions for 20 years.

As vice-president and director of creative services, he helped design characters, sets, props, posters, toys and books for television shows, including The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock.

“The response to the show has been phenomenal,” said Jennifer Phillips, the BNG executive director.

“17,000 visitors have been to the Bermuda National Gallery since the exhibition opened ten months ago. This, when we usually see on average 10,000 visitors a year.”

The conversation event, which is scheduled to start at 5.30pm, will include a reception in the gallery before the talk.

Mr Frith described the exhibition experience as “touching” and “gratifying”.

He said: “When the BNG first proposed it, I was pretty doubtful: would anyone actually be interested in a bunch of drawings of frogs and pigs, Fraggles and whatevers?

“It seems so; to see the reactions of so many gallery visitors of all different generations — many with joy, some near tears — to the origins and evolution of all those characters they know and love has been truly moving.”

He added: “Most gratifying of all has been to see Bermudians young and not-so-young — but especially the young — come away with an inspiration to explore their own creative potentialities in ways they might never have before.

“That would be a legacy to truly treasure. And so, I look back with great gratitude on the foresight, determination and creativity in putting it all together of our own national treasure, the Bermuda National Gallery, for proving me wrong.”

Ms Henson said: “Michael Frith, simply put, is a legend.

“It is impossible to overstate his creative contributions to some of the world’s most beloved characters.

“With this exhibit, the Bermuda National Gallery has created an amazing tribute to a lifetime of work that is deeply inspiring.

“I look forward to celebrating with Michael and his cherished Bermuda community.”

• Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance and are available on the Bermuda National Gallery website