Dates: 5 February – 6 March 2026
Location: University House, AUB Campus
This exhibition showcases a vibrant selection of puppets created by first-year students on the BA (Hons) Modelmaking course at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB).
Developed as part of a two-week intensive course project, the puppets were designed for promotional music videos inspired by shortlisted entries from the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, including songs from Armenia, Latvia, and Sweden.
Working in teams, students designed and constructed “hands-up” puppets alongside bespoke props and illustrated backdrops. The completed characters were then brought to life during filmed performances in AUB’s green-screen studios, produced in collaboration with students and staff from the BA (Hons) Film Production and VFX courses.
Visitors are invited to get up close to the puppets and watch the finished videos, revealing both the craft behind the characters and the energy of the performances. The project introduced students to new materials and techniques from pattern-making and foam construction to sewing machine use while emphasising teamwork, creative problem-solving, and working under professional time pressures.
Beyond the studio, the videos have found enthusiastic audiences online, attracting thousands of views and even recognition from Eurovision artists themselves a testament to the creativity, ambition, and collaborative spirit behind the project.
Running alongside the exhibition is a short showreel featuring AUB puppets in action, as well as behind-the-scenes footage of the puppets’ creation and short films.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Jonathan Hoyle and Claire Holman from BA (Hons) Modelmaking, for their help in designing and installing the showcase. Many thanks to Paul Johnson in supporting the exhibition proposal, and to Violet M McClean and William Hernandez Abreu in staging and promoting the exhibition.
Meet the curators
MA, BA(Hons), PGCE, FHEA
BA (Hons)
Project partners
TheGallery is a nationally and internationally recognised, award-winning space that hosts a diverse programme of exhibitions, events, and collaborative projects throughout the year. Working closely with AUB stakeholders across the University, these initiatives provide students and staff with valuable opportunities to showcase their courses, creative practices, and professional work.
As a national and international public platform for the arts within the region, TheGallery reflects the University’s shared commitment to excellence in education, industry, and the wider creative sector. It embodies AUB’s dedication to civic and cultural engagement, ensuring that education and the arts remain accessible while making a positive impact on the wider community.
The Eurovision Modelmaking Puppet Project exhibition and showcase is a further example of this collaborative approach. Developed through a close partnership between TheGallery and BA (Hons) Modelmaking, the project brings together expertise from across the University to celebrate innovation, craftsmanship, and creative collaboration.
BA (Hons) Modelmaking at AUB offers a rich variety of learning experiences designed to prepare students for success across a wide range of employment sectors. It has developed an international reputation for high standards, enabling graduates to secure roles in an increasingly global marketplace.
At AUB, we have an international reputation in the film business. Our BA (Hons) Film Production graduates have worked on Oscar-winning productions, BBC documentaries and dramas, and for major studios like DreamWorks and Industrial Light & Magic.
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