"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-a-kind 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.