paper bag turkeys

An American Art Form

Developed under a grant by the NAPPBT of the Institute for Museum and Libraries of the National Institute of American Art. Sponsored by a generous grant from Safeway®

Paper

Bag

Turkeys

Variety & TraditionWho knows when the first paper bag turkey was made? In what steamy November kitchen or what library children’s room. It could even have been a first grade classroom.

It was not until the explosion of blogging in recent years that we have been able to observe the varieties of home-made pulp-product turkeys.

This display is a tribute to our still thriving native art forms.

Dedicated to the Artists who keep this tradition alive

Every slide includes the web address at which the creation can be fully appreciated or instructions gleaned.

First, there was a bag . . . .

Then Came Individual Expression!

http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-bag-turkey.html

Until a paper bag turkey for Thanksgiving filled America’s dining rooms every November.

Simplicity

and yet . . . time spent tracing little fingers

http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/paper-bag-crafts-thanksgiving.html

A Paper Plate and A Paper Bag Become . . . A Puppet!

http://www.craftyshops.com/html/craft_idea/CT277_Thanksgiving_paper_bags_turkey_puppets.html

Google-Eyes add Whimsy

http://ourcraftsnthings.com/2009/11/paper-bag-turkey/

A Combination of Forms

http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2008/11/paper-bag-turkey-hand-puppet.html

A tightly-rolled variety

http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/paper-bag-turkey.html

Toilet Paper RollVariation

http://www.sundayschoolcrafts.net/turkey-goody-bag.php

Basic PBT* Assembly

http://ecemadeeasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Paper-Bag-Turkey.jpg

*Paper Bag Turkey

an Excellent Classroom Craft

• http://www.dglobe.com/event/image/id/11986/headline/Thanksgiving%20crafts/

Each Turkey has a uniquemoment of splendor

http://www.amommysadventures.com/2010/11/start-five-little-turkeys-poem.html

To Scale up, add a Larger Bag for the Body

http://www.allfreeholidaycrafts.com/Kids-Thanksgiving-Crafts/Paper-Bag-Turkey/ct/1

Monochromatic with a Dash of Red

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/paper-bag-turkeys-665199/

Combining Materials to add Zest and COLOR!

http://thanksgivingwprairieharvestarts.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html

Expressive Faces Add Personality

http://cfyprograms.com/2009/09/27/cornerstone-crafts-paper-bag-turkey/

Simple but daring

a touch of blue means . . . .?

http://blog.volunteerspot.com/volunteer_guru/2010/11/thanksgiving-party-ideas-roomparents-teachers.html

Wings Add a Hint of . . . .Freedom

http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2008/11/paper-bag-turkey.html

Minimalist, yet Exuberant

• http://www.kidsinthecapital.ca/?p=2659

Details Count

Note the artistic rendering of the beak, the solemn outlining of crop and feathers.

http://www.lbrummer68739.net/2nd-grade/out-to-lunch-turkey/

A Lovingly Prepared Centerpiece

Possibly too close to the oven?

http://kamikazepanda.blogspot.com/2009/11/paperbag-turkey.html

To ourDetractors

To Those of You who do not believe that a Paper Bag Turkey adds immeasurably to a family Thanksgiving Celebration, including the simple pleasure of praising the recent artistic triumph of younger members of the household . . .as they participate in this uniquely American traditional art form . . . .

We pity you!

Signed,

The Art World

One Turkey Stands Tall and Brave

http://www.creativecrafts4kids.com/thanksgivingcraftstomake.html

One Turkey So Plump and Juicy . . .

Suicidal??

http://littleldsideas.blogspot.com/2010/10/service-games-for-november-sharing-time.html

The Culinary Turkey

clearly the result of collaboration

http://greetingarts.typepad.com/greetingarts/cooking/

Wearable Art

The PBT Hat

http://mykidsmake.com/2010/11/create/turkey-hats/

Who Says a Turkey Hat is NOT Stylish this year?

Upcycling Classic

Expressing and promoting a love of the Earth

http://www.enviromom.com/winter_holidays/

More than a Bag:

Bright Feathers from a Pantry Shelf

http://www.holiday-kids-crafts.com/thanksgiving-craft-paperbag-turkey-centerpiece.html

A 1,000,000 Varieties and yet, they have 1 thing in common . . .

Expressing the Joy of the Season

http://smartpoodlepublishing.com/blog/2010/11/01/make-a-paper-bag-turkey/

A Dangerous Recent Development

http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/15-brown-paper-bag-turkey-craft-ideas-kids/

Recently, the origami-inspired table-ready paper bag turkey has materialized in the craft world.

It does not elicit the same raw aesthetic energy as multi-colored tail feathers or a beak.

The concept fails to offer the opportunities for individual expression inherent in the paper bag turkey tradition.

Corporate Turkey Design

http://onecharmingparty.com/

Typically over-done and over-sized. What first-grader would proudly claim credit for this?

Albuquerque Turkey

an American Folk Song suited to the Season

(sung to the tune of "Clementine")

Albuquerque is a turkeyAnd he's feathered and he's fineAnd he wobbles and he gobblesand he's absolutely mine.

He's the best pet that you can get..Better than a dog or cat.He's my Albuquerque turkeyAnd I'm awfully proud of that.

He once told me , very franklyhe preferred to be my pet,not the main course at my dinner,and I told him not to fret.

And my Albuquerque turkeyis so happy in his bed,'Cause for our Thanksgiving dinner...We had egg foo yong instead.

Another Overdone Production

Clip Art, PowerPoint, and Google Image Search Make for a Strange Feast!