Dogody (Arctic Fox)
Dogody, is a large-scale, animal spirit puppet modeled after the Arctic fox, created to bring attention to the fragile ecosystems of the far north and the species that depend on them. The puppet was originally built in 2009 in Seattle as part of the Fremont Arts Council, and is one of the largest and most complex puppets in the Giant Puppets Save the World collection.
Dogody was created by Giant Puppets Save the World artist Sarah Lovett and was later gifted to ArtJoy’s director, Toni Mikulka-Chang, at a time when the puppet was in urgent need of repair, reconstruction, and re-homing.
Materials & Construction
Dogody is built from a combination of lightweight, durable, and repurposed materials:
Structure and form: Reed and recycled two-ply corrugated plastic
Head and sculpted elements: Papier-mâché
Frame: Lightweight internal structure designed for multi-person operation
In 2024, Toni Mikulka-Chang rebuilt the body of the puppet and added new professional, battery-powered internal lighting, allowing the creature to glow from within and be safely and effectively performed at night.
Scale, Movement & Performance
Dogody is approximately 12 feet long, making it one of the largest puppets in the collection. It requires four puppeteers to operate, along with one spotter to ensure safe navigation through crowds and performance spaces.
The puppet’s scale and articulated movement give it a powerful, animal-like presence, allowing it to move through space in a way that feels both majestic and alert.
Purpose & Ongoing Life
Dogody was created to bring attention and awareness to Arctic species and ecosystems, with particular focus on the Arctic fox, whose habitat is increasingly threatened by climate change and environmental disruption.
Now under the care of ArtJoy and Giant Puppets Save the World, Dogody continues to appear in festivals, parades, and large-scale public performances—serving as a moving reminder of the beauty, resilience, and vulnerability of life in the far north.
