MoFA is proud to be featuring the art and creativity of Tallahassee-based puppeteer Jan Kaufman in the installation Jan and Her Friends.  The adopted child of a physician, Jan began her career in puppetry arts by taking her dolls apart to see how they worked. Over the years, she has paired her interest in anatomy with degrees in theatre and education, adding a flair for voices and a mission to communicate with children for whom feelings can be frightening.

The result has been a lifetime of Kaufman’s interacting with imaginary cloth and wire personalities to help those who find the real-world intimidating.  Over the years, Jan has brought her friends and her talents to local television programming, a statewide nutrition initiative, Springtime Tallahassee performances, public library reading seminars, children’s hospital services, and Sheriff’s Department workshops on child victims of abuse and how puppets can help. A performer, researcher, and educator, Jan has traveled to over 100 countries to meet and work with teachers and students, discovering along the way that “there is no need to know their language – the puppets can communicate directly to their little hearts.”

Jan and Her Friends runs through March 28, 2020.