1. An American Art Form
Paper
Bag
Turkeys
Developed under a grant by the NAPPBT of the Institute for Museum and Libraries of the
National Institute of American Art.
Sponsored by a generous grant from Safeway®

2. Variety &
Tradition
Who knows when the first paper bag
turkey was made? In what steamy
November kitchen or what library
children’s room. It could even have
been a first grade classroom.
It was not until the explosion of
blogging in recent years that we have
been able to observe the varieties of
home-made pulp-product turkeys.
This display is a tribute to our still
thriving native art forms.

3. Dedicated to the Artists
who keep this tradition
alive
Every slide includes the web address at which the creation can
be fully appreciated or instructions gleaned.

4. First, there was a bag . . . .

5. Then Came
Individual Expression!
Until a paper bag
turkey for Thanksgiving
filled America’s dining
rooms every
November.
http://crafts.kaboose.com/paper-bag-turkey.html

6. Simplicity
and yet . . .
time spent
tracing little fingers
http://www.cool-kids-craft-ideas.com/paper-bag-crafts-
thanksgiving.html

7. A Paper Plate
and A Paper
Bag Become . . .
A Puppet!
http://www.craftyshops.com/html/craft_idea/CT277_Thanksgivi
ng_paper_bags_turkey_puppets.html

8. Google-Eyes add Whimsy
http://ourcraftsnthings.com/2009/11/paper-bag-turkey/

9. A
Combination
of Forms
http://jennwa.blogspot.com/200
8/11/paper-bag-turkey-hand-
puppet.html

10. A tightly-rolled variety
http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/paper-bag-turkey.html

11. Toilet Paper
Roll
Variation
http://www.sundayschoolcrafts.
net/turkey-goody-bag.php

12. Basic PBT* Assembly
http://ecemadeeasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Paper-Bag-
Turkey.jpg
*Paper Bag Turkey

13. an
Excellent
Classroom
Craft
• http://www.dglobe.com/event/image/id/11986/headline/Tha
nksgiving%20crafts/

14. Each
Turkey has
a unique
moment of
splendor
http://www.amommysadventures.com/2010/11/start-five-little-
turkeys-poem.html

15. To Scale
up, add a
Larger Bag for
the Body
http://www.allfreeholidaycrafts.co
m/Kids-Thanksgiving-Crafts/Paper-
Bag-Turkey/ct/1

16. Monochromatic
with a Dash of
Red
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/paper-bag-turkeys-665199/

17. Combining
Materials to add
Zest and COLOR!
http://thanksgivingwprairieharvestarts.blogspot.com/2009_08_
01_archive.html

18. Expressive
Faces
Add
Personality
http://cfyprograms.com/2009/09/27/cornerstone-crafts-
paper-bag-turkey/

19. Simple
but daring
a touch of blue means . . . .?
http://blog.volunteerspot.com/volunteer_guru/2010/11/thanks
giving-party-ideas-roomparents-teachers.html

20. Wings Add
a Hint of . . . .
Freedom
http://jennwa.blogspot.com/2008/11/paper-bag-turkey.html

21. Minimalist,
yet
Exuberant
• http://www.kidsinthecapital.ca/?p=2659

22. Details Count
Note the artistic rendering of the
beak, the solemn outlining of crop
and feathers.
http://www.lbrummer68739.net/2nd-grade/out-to-lunch-
turkey/

23. A Lovingly
Prepared
Centerpiece
Possibly too close to the oven?
http://kamikazepanda.blogspot.com/2009/11/paperbag-turkey.html

24. To our
Detractors
To Those of You who do not believe that a Paper Bag Turkey
adds immeasurably to a family Thanksgiving
Celebration, including the simple pleasure of praising the recent
artistic triumph of younger members of the household . . .as
they participate in this uniquely American traditional art form . .
..
We pity you!
Signed,
The Art World

25. One Turkey
Stands Tall
and Brave
http://www.creativecrafts4kids.com
/thanksgivingcraftstomake.html

26. One Turkey
So Plump and
Juicy . . .
Suicidal??
http://littleldsideas.blogspot.com/2010/10/service-games-for-
november-sharing-time.html

27. The Culinary
Turkey
clearly the result of
collaboration
http://greetingarts.typepad.com/greetingarts/cooking/

28. Wearable Art
The PBT Hat
Who Says a Turkey Hat is NOT Stylish this year?
http://mykidsmake.com/2010/11/create/turkey-hats/

29. Upcycling Classic
Expressing and promoting
a love of the Earth
http://www.enviromom.com/winter_holidays/

30. More than a Bag:
Bright Feathers
from
a Pantry Shelf
http://www.holiday-kids-crafts.com/thanksgiving-craft-
paperbag-turkey-centerpiece.html

31. A 1,000,000
Varieties and
yet,
they have 1
thing in
common . . .

32. Expressing
the Joy of
the Season
http://smartpoodlepublishing.com/blog/2010/11/01/make-a-
paper-bag-turkey/

33. A Dangerous Recent Development
Recently, the origami-inspired
table-ready paper bag turkey has
materialized in the craft world.
It does not elicit the same raw
aesthetic energy as multi-colored
tail feathers or a beak.
The concept fails to offer the
opportunities for individual
expression inherent in the paper
bag turkey tradition.
http://www.thepartyanimal-blog.org/15-brown-paper-bag-
turkey-craft-ideas-kids/

34. Corporate
Turkey
Design
Typically over-done and
over-sized. What first-
grader would proudly
claim credit for this?
http://onecharmingparty.com/

35. (sung to the tune of "Clementine")
Albuquerque is a turkey
And he's feathered and he's fine
And he wobbles and he gobbles
and he's absolutely mine.
He's the best pet that you can get..
Better than a dog or cat.
Albuquerque He's my Albuquerque turkey
And I'm awfully proud of that.
Turkey He once told me , very frankly
he preferred to be my pet,
not the main course at my dinner,
and I told him not to fret.
an American Folk Song
And my Albuquerque turkey
suited to the Season is so happy in his bed,
'Cause for our Thanksgiving dinner...
We had egg foo yong instead.

36. Another Overdone Production
Clip Art, PowerPoint, and Google Image Search Make for a
Strange Feast!