WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-'Quirky' Costumes

White River Junction, Vermont - October 16, 2009

Step into one art studio in White River Junction, and it's like falling down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. The colorful, cramped space is where Gabriel Quirk lives up to his name.

Quirk, or Gabriel Q as he's known onstage, is a master mask and puppet maker. He explains, "I make all kinds of puppets. From small puppets to giant parade puppets."

The son of a theater instructor traces his fascination with costumes and oversized mechanical creatures to seeing Sesame Street when it debuted. Quirk chuckles, "I saw the Muppets and was like, 'That's it!' I figured out my career path early!"

Quirk is mostly self-taught, and travels hundreds of miles to perform at renaissance festivals, fairs, and private parties. "I lived without job security so long, I can't say I miss it, I never had it!" the showman explains.

He also takes his show on the road each year to the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, and wanted to start his own version of it in White River Junction. He helped launch the community's now eight year-old Halloween parade. It is a chance for come-as-you are bohemian fun.

"When people dress up, they take a risk to expose something of themselves in the way they cover up," Quirk explains.

But even this experienced entertainer admits he can be shy. He says, "If I go to a regular cocktail party and I'm not dressed [in a costume], I'll be in the corner. For me, the costume is the liberating factor."

At this time of year, there is no shortage of opportunities for liberation, as Gabriel Quirk will spend much of the Halloween season in his "Made in Vermont" costumes.

If you want to hire Gabriel Quirk to make you a complex costume to-order, it would cost you $1,000 or more. His masks go for $100 or $200. The annual Halloween party kicks off at 6 p.m. on Halloween night at the Main Street Museum in White River Junction.

Click here to visit Gabriel Q's website.

Jack Thurston - WCAX News - Made in Vermont