Heather Henson doesn't quite know what she's getting herself into. Soon she'll be stepping into the world of Dragon-Con for the first time, putting herself on the receiving end of over-the-top costumes and explosive imagination.
But it shouldn't come as a shock. She was raised amid the magical world of her father, Jim, a place inhabited by Muppets, Fraggles and dark crystals. And today, she's carving out her own place in the puppet world by allowing her creative juices to flow with a purpose, while simultaneously promoting and encouraging other puppeteers.
Of course, the bubbly 41-year-old artist with the flowing curls will be setting aside time at Dragon-Con to talk to fans about growing up Henson. However, her main goal is to expose folks to Handmade Puppet Dreams, one of the projects coming out of IBEX Puppetry, her Florida-based entertainment company.
"It's about supporting puppet artists who are making films," Henson said. "We're asking people to make little fine art films that have to involve puppets. Handmade Puppet Dreams is also about highlighting people's films that are already out there, and we're just giving them a platform."
In a similar way, her father helped foster the creativity at Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts. Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog starred at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the converted Midtown schoolhouse in 1978. Her parents dragged Heather, their youngest, along. Today, she remains hopeful that the center's plan to build an expansion to house a Jim Henson museum will come to fruition.
Since 2007, Heather Henson has been funding and commissioning new films, and accepting submissions of completed shorts to comprise Handmade Puppet Dreams. Each year this self-contained, traveling short puppet film festival reappears with a new volume curated by Henson.
"The great thing about Heather is she supports artists with their films and then she's out there to help promote the film when it's done," said Sam Koji Hale, a Handmade Puppet Dreams filmmaker and producer. "She's really kind of an angel that way. She gets out there and says, 'Hey, look at what this great artist has made.'"
Henson did just that for Hale. In 2008, Hale pitched Henson the idea for his fantasy film "Yamasong." Henson not only agreed to provide funding, but encouraged Hale along the way.
"Yamasong" won Best Animated Film at the 2010 Dragon-Con Independent Film Festival. This year, Hale returns to the convention helping Henson promote other artists and sharing their creations with those in attendance. This includes screening films from past volumes of Handmade Puppet Dreams, including "Yamasong," and a screening of "Handmade Puppet Dreams — Volume V," featuring a contemporary bundle of discovered puppet films.
These films reflect Henson's interest in pushing puppetry's limits. Jim Henson's work was much broader than simply Kermit the Frog. Heather Henson's purpose in puppetry reflects that aspect of his legacy.
"I think my dad was always open-minded to new things and new interests," she said. "And it was beautiful the way he could weave something he was inspired by into his work. He really remained open to many different mediums and inspirations."
Henson has her own inspirations, including a strong focus on environmentalism in her work, and one of her more recent performances took place outdoors in Detroit. "In Celebration of Flight," the story of a young crane, combines puppetry with kite flying.
"That is a really good example," Henson said. "If [my father] was as intrigued with kites as I am, he probably would've done it, too."
Henson will give Dragon-Con guests an offspring's-eye-view of her father's career with "Heather Henson Presents: A Daughter Remembers," which was originally created for the touring exhibit "Jim Henson's Fantastic World." But don't expect a rehash. Henson said the presentation is ever evolving, and she modifies it for each audience.
The Henson family chose the Center for Puppetry Arts as the potential destination for what they call the "definitive collection" honoring Jim Henson's legacy. It would include somewhere between 500 and 700 puppets, props, drawings, films and more. The key, however, is the addition of more museum space, according to the center.
Although the center is mum on its current capital campaign, Heather Henson said the family still wants it to happen. However, "it's all tied into the status of the fundraising," she said.
"You guys are so lucky to have the center," she said. "I think it's amazing. The shows that are made and developed there are so good. ... There is such great talent."
Her most recent work there took place earlier this month. Puppet Slam Network, another IBEX project, co-produced the National Puppet Slam 2012 starring puppeteers from across the country.
David Stephens, an Atlanta-based puppeteer and founder of All Hands Productions, has collaborated with Henson and praises her work.
"Heather just has a real joy and warmth about her toward the puppet community," Stephens said. "She's definitely been a cheerleader for the younger generation of people who are trying to do this. So she holds a real special place for us."
EVENT PREVIEW
Heather Henson
Puppetry Animation from Handmade Puppet Dreams. 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Handmade Puppet Dreams Volume V. 10 p.m. Friday.
Heather Henson Presents: A Daughter Remembers. 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Art of Puppets on Film. 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Heather Henson photo and autograph session. 1 p.m. Sunday.
Dragon-Con 2012. Friday-Monday. Host hotels are the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hilton Atlanta, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel and Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel. Single day pass prices range from $30-$50. For the full Dragon-Con lineup and more information about prices visit www.dragoncon.org.
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