Mindful Needle Felting

Hann (they/them) is a puppeteer, fiber artist, and dancer based in New York City. J's unique textural work draws inspiration from the past and is centered in the weird, wonderful, and whimsical. J uses traditional craft work including felting, crochet, and embroidery to create fantastical worlds highlighting the Queer experience. 

They have been a resident artist at Governors Island and The Object Movement Festival. In 2022 they were an Emerging Artist at The Eugene O'Neill Puppetry Conference. Their original surreal Queer-centric show, Bequeathed has received support from The Jim Henson Foundation, The New York State Council for the Arts, Two Chairs Inc., and Concrete Temple Theatre.  

As a performer their work has been seen on big and small screens, and at BAM, Lincoln Center, St. Ann's Warehouse, HERE Arts Center, La MaMa, The Tank, Dixon Place, and in venues across the globe. J is an Artistic Associate and Puppet Consultant with Concrete Temple Theatre. They are also a Co-Curator and Organizer with PUPPETQUEERS NYC, a diy slam celebrating queer puppet artists.  As a maker, they have designed puppets and props for Trusty Sidekick Theater, NYU, and the Off-Broadway show The Greatest Pirate Story Never Told! They have helped fabricate puppets for LAB LAB, The Muny, and The Jim Henson Foundation. 

When not performing or making, J teaches puppetry and fiber arts workshops to students of all ages, having led classes at the University of Connecticut, George Mason University, Museum of Arts and Design, Museum of the Moving Image, Green Feather Foundation, Little Shadow Productions, and many NYC public schools among others. 

Photo: Rachel Steele