About Puppets

Yep, this is me...

My name is Lys Akerman-Frank. I have lived in Minnesota for over twenty-nine years and call it home. I am a mom, an artist, a picture framer, a business owner, a puppet designer, and a beginner puppeteer. I love working with my hands, from building custom frames to sewing and designing puppets. The core of my being is "making things." It is my purpose in life, and it defines my existence. Art is my true passion; when I am creating, I am the conduit, the magician, and I bring to you what was not there before.

My appreciation of Art has led me to become a framer. What better job than to frame Art all day long? It guarantees that I am around Art. I love meeting people, seeing their "appreciation" of their own pieces, and making it my own masterpiece to work with. I am overjoyed knowing that a customer is satisfied with the job that I have done, but seeing that they fell in love with their piece all over again is what fulfills me; there is no more incredible feeling. After that, I found myself installing Art and helping young artists on their journey to creation. Working at The Catherine G. Murphy Gallery at the Heart of Saint Catherine University gave me a bigger purpose in working with Art and artists.

The same thing happens with my Art Making when I see the faces of my audience in "loving," "not sure," and "what was she thinking!" responses on their faces are that fulfill me. But when it comes to puppets, my world feels just right. I build puppets so I can become a child again and play. Designing and building puppets let me go through the process of creation, challenge, and development as Art Making, but the result is a little bit more selfish because I am partly my own audience.