Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival has invited international artist Tri Suwarno to give a public presentation at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Building 15, Pensacola State College, Pensacola campus, on Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Tri Suwarno is an internationally known, Indonesian Wayang Kulit puppet artist. Wayang Kulit, or shadow puppet performance, is among the oldest and greatest storytelling traditions in the world and lies close to the heart of Javanese culture. Tri Suwarno grew up in a family of wayang makers. His family is trained in all aspects of puppet making. As a child he would sit on the veranda of his father’s workshop and make puppets.

These elaborately decorated, flat puppets are made from water buffalo hide and cast spectacular shadows when used in the performance. The performances are usually based on classical literature, but often incorporate contemporary issues.

In 2003, The UNESCO offered Wayang worldwide recognition for its excellence, cultural significance and importance by designating it as Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

In addition to the Oct. 30 presentation, he will be selling and demonstrating his art during the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Nov 1-3 in Seville Square, Historic Downtown Pensacola.

For more on the Festival, see Oct. 29 A&E page 5 or GulfCoastNewsToday.com.

For more information, visit ggaf.org.