Jeghetto's Puppets at Chapel Hill-Carrboro Elementary Schools

This spring, elementary students across the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district were treated to an unforgettable experience: a visit from master puppeteer Tarish Pipkins, better known as Jeghetto. His performances brought a unique blend of art, music, and storytelling that captivated young audiences and sparked their imaginations.

At Northside, Ephesus, and Scroggs Elementary Schools, Jeghetto's puppets came alive to the rhythm of music, transforming the stage into a dynamic world of prehistoric creatures and dancing figures. The performance was more than just entertainment; it was an immersive experience that combined sculpture, movement, and sound to tell compelling stories.

Jeghetto's performances left a lasting impression on students and educators alike, inspiring a new generation to explore the intersection of art, music, and movement. By integrating elements of hip-hop culture and recycled materials into his puppets, he demonstrates how art can be both accessible and transformative.

Tarish Pipkins, aka Jeghetto, is a self-taught artist and master of puppetry. He has been building and performing with puppets for over 20 years. He travels nationally, performing in theaters and festivals. He facilitates puppetry workshops and residencies locally and around the country. He sits on the Board of Directors of the Jim Henson Foundation. Tarish regards puppetry as a fine art – a three-dimensional art that you can tell a story with. He states that it is poetry, storytelling, sculpting and sketching and that art is the most effective form of activism. His work also incorporates Hip Hop, and other music, as well as videography.

Jeghetto's visits to CHCCS Elementary Schools were made possible through the support of the Town of Chapel Hill’s Arts & Culture Award Program.