The unofficial rule of thumb is that each region gets to boast one resident puppet master, and you’ve probably seen the name: Adam Swartz Puppets.

The State College native is a presence of tradition, with annual appearances at major events throughout Happy Valley, including Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest, Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts and First Night State College.

He leads a variety of events for young people, such as puppet-making and play-acting workshops, story times and summer camps. He also designs and builds puppets for other artists, including for Middle-earth Studios, an appropriate gig for an artist who trained with several Muppeteers and idolized “The Dark Crystal” and “Fraggle Rock.”

Swartz creates all of his puppets by hand using almost any kind of soft or malleable material. In his craft store of choice, one might see him shopping with a cart full of socks, ping-pong balls, furs and fabrics, gloves and mittens, and boxes of hot glue sticks — “for workshops for other people to make puppets,” he said.

He said he taught himself how to sew on an old machine of his mother’s, “then she bought me a Singer sewing machine that I’ve been using for over a decade.”

Swartz said he has seen how his puppet workshops have helped young people grow their confidence; develop language skills; and allow them to practice dancing and singing without the full-stage commitment.

But mostly, puppetry is a creative and healing outlet for everyone, and that’s what Swartz likes about the form. His advice to aspiring artists are words of wisdom that also would apply to anyone: “The best way to start is to just do it and learn from your mistakes.”

What’s your Happy Valley story?

I am a native to Centre County, born and raised in Lemont and now living in Pennsylvania Furnace. I have a degree in integrative arts from Penn State, combining theater and visual arts.

How do you keep involved with the community?

I work with the Jana Marie Foundation, the Skills Program through Artistic Horizon, Art Alliance, Tempest Studios, Next Stage Theatre, Centre LGBTQA Support Network, Centre County school districts through the [CIU10’s] Galaxy Program, Community Education Extended Learning after-school program with State College Area School District, Millbrook Marsh, Write On State through the Blue Brick Theatre, and First Night State College.

In addition to creating puppets and producing shows, you hold educational workshops and camps. What’s your why?

I have always enjoyed working with youth and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to be creative and try new things. Puppetry is a great educational tool — for learning the art itself, but also to teach many academic concepts and social and behavioral skills.

What makes an effective puppet?

A successful puppet does what it was made to do. Puppets are often made for a certain show and need to do specific things (move a certain way, hold something, etc.). When I help other people build a puppet, as long as it brings them joy and entertainment in the building process and after it is complete, then it is a success.

Puppetry allows people to express themselves in a safe and unique way. I have helped people make thousands of puppets and have never seen two that were exactly the same.

Have you seen how puppetry and your workshops help young people feel more confident in their artistic or acting/performing abilities?

Yes, every day, every time. It’s one of the main reasons I bring puppetry into theater and classroom settings.

What makes Happy Valley so unique?

Being located in the middle of the state, it is connected to everything in Pennsylvania. Penn State University offers an opportunity to experience a diversity of culture and activities because of the many different people that are drawn here.

Downtown State College and Penn State create a city atmosphere, while a short trip out of town lets you experience a quieter, more peaceful farm country.

What’s one off-the-beaten-path thing that you personally love about Happy Valley?

All of the surrounding areas to hike, and each small community has a great park.

What’s something every visitor should do, see or eat while they are here?

Ice cream! We have many delicious ice cream places in Happy Valley.

Also, there are a lot of entertainment options here. Penn State provides many activities, but there are also many hidden gems, like local community and professional theaters.

Heather Longley is an arts writer living in Centre County.