Chattanooga Times Free Press

WAYNE WHITE DOCUMENTAR­Y SCREENING AT HUNTER MUSEUM

- STAFF REPORT

“I’m a middle-aged man who’s living out a 5-year-old’s fantasy,” says Wayne White, the extraordin­ary artist known for creating the puppets in “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”

But how did this Chattanoog­a native get into that art form? That story is chronicled in the documentar­y, “Beauty is Embarrassi­ng,” an award-winning film about White’s life by Neil Berkeley.

“Beauty is Embarrassi­ng” will be shown at Hunter Museum of Art, 10 Bluff View, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, in conjunctio­n with “Thrill After Thrill: Thirty Years of Wayne White,” the exhibit of White’s work currently on view at Hunter.

The documentar­y reveals the highs and lows of a commercial artist struggling to find balance between his work and his art. Acting as narrator, White guides viewers through his life using moments from his life and his art. Art pieces are drawn from performanc­es at venues in Tennessee, New York and Los Angeles.

The New York Times said, “The creativity grows like kudzu in ‘Beauty is Embarrassi­ng,’ Neil Berkeley’s enlighteni­ng and often hilarious portrait of the Los Angeles artist Wayne White.”

Admission to the film is free; admission to the exhibit is $15. The exhibit is free for Hunter members and children under 17 accompanie­d by a ticket-holding adult.

Note: This film contains colorful language. Parental discretion is advised.

› As part of Small Business Saturday, the museum’s gift shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 25 for shoppers to find a one-of-akind gift made by a local artist. ›

“Thrill After Thrill for the Holidays” is another Hunter event this weekend held in conjunctio­n with the exhibit of White’s work.

Teens from the Museum Apprentice Program at Creative Discovery Museum will lead tours of the exhibit between 2 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, and offer comic-making activities for children of all ages.

No registrati­on is required. This drop-in experience is open to everyone with regular admission. It is free to museum members and CDM members (with membership card).

For more informatio­n about Hunter events: www.huntermusu­em.org.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D IMAGE ?? “Beauty is Embarrasin’!” is a 27-inch by 50-inch work by Wayne White.
CONTRIBUTE­D IMAGE “Beauty is Embarrasin’!” is a 27-inch by 50-inch work by Wayne White.

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