Join us to celebrate the importance of pollinators! From bats to butterflies and bugs, you'll have a chance to help tell a visual story of some of our most important ecological allies.

Willow Bend Environmental Education Center is bringing art and ecology together through Nature Tales: Puppets and Pollinators, a creative collaboration with Red Herring Puppets and Momentum Aerial. This project blends storytelling, large-scale puppetry, and hands-on community experiences to celebrate the essential role of pollinators in our ecosystems. Artist Lisa Aimee Sturz, Owner and Artistic Director of Red Herring Puppets, has designed and fabricated six large-scale pollinator puppets ranging from two to four feet tall and developed pollinator-inspired mask activities using recycled cardboard and mixed media.

On May 2nd, from 1 to 5 PM, Willow Bend will host a FREE "Make a Pollinator Mask" Community Workshop where participants will help assemble and decorate a variety of pollinator masks alongside Willow Bend staff. Because of the detailed crafting involved, this workshop is best suited for older teens and adults, though youth are welcome with adult supervision. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.

Nature Tales: Puppets and Pollinators is an ARTx project, proudly presented by Creative Flagstaff.

ARTx art + ideas experience: Transforming Flagstaff into an Immersive Art Experience

ARTx is a 3-day multimedia art experience dispersed across Flagstaff in unexpected places. This May 1-3 2026, ARTx aims to spark ideas, stimulate conversation, and inspire response.