Visit the Central Library December 7 – March 25 to explore the large collection of beautifully, hand-crafted Marionettes, by Rachel Hennelly. On display in the Rundel Memorial Library building, Anthony Mascioli Gallery (1st floor).
Exhibit opening reception December 7, 1 PM – 3 PM.
“Marionettes by Rachel” entertained thousands of children and adults at dozens of venues; the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival; The Museum of Natural History; the Brooklyn Academy of Music; Paramount Theater; and Madison Square Garden and was selected to be an act for MTA’s Music/Art in Subway Station series as well as the Holiday Market at Grand Central Station. Since Rachel’s passing in 2022, her family has continued to display her work
Rachel Hennelly, Folk Art creator, hand carved, created, and costumed all of her marionettes, harkening back to America’s earliest traditions of handmade art that would be used in performances.
During her lifetime Rachel focused on entertaining children and adults through her Marionettes. She loved reminding children to create things by hand and be present in art and performance in all forms. Her vast career in the arts of Dance, Performance, Musical Theater, and Circus Arts allowed her to take what she brought to the stage she then could bring anywhere including the New York City Subway System with her Marionettes
Ms. Hennelly, a classically trained Ballet Dancer, studied with Irene Fokine and the American Ballet Theater, was also an experienced Juggler who has combined the Circus Arts with Dance in appearances at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, and the New York Theater Ballet, Gould Hall. The Brooklyn Academy of Music Children’s Festival. The Showboat Casino and several other regional theaters across the country.
“One of the highlights of the divertissements was a lively Russian carnival sequence in which Rachel Juggled while she danced,” wrote Jack Anderson, dance critic with the New York Times, of Ms. Hennelly’s performance in the Nutcracker for the New York Ballet Theater.
Ms. Hennelly, a member of Actors Equity and the American Guild of Musical Artists has been a featured dance soloist with the Houston Opera, the Lake George Opera Festival, The Village Light opera and also toured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
