Doug Mickan presented his ventriloquism show to area students in the Mid-Ohio Valley as part of Artsbridge Artists on Tour. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Ventriloquist Doug Mickan of St. Louis, Missouri, recently performed for area primary school students through the Artists on Tour program at Artsbridge.

Artsbridge is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting communities through creativity. Mickan has been entertaining audiences with ventriloquism for over 32 years. He has always been fascinated by puppets, but first learned the art of ventriloquism at the age of 16 through a class taught at a local community college.

“Doug and his comical cast of characters –Tommy, Ralph the Dog, Roscoe the Crooning Rooster, and Howard Hamilton III — kept the students entertained and laughing while incorporating messages of perseverance, hard work, honesty, embracing your uniqueness, and the importance of always including others,” said Paula Oliverio, Arts Education Coordinator of Artsbridge.

Students were loudly expressing their enthusiasm as they left each performance with smiles and high fives, she said. One Waterford Elementary kindergartener gave the performance “10 out of 10!” A Kanawha Elementary teacher commented, “This performance was great for the students! I love the way the performer included the students in the performance and made them laugh….as he reminded them that each one is unique. The performer taught valuable lessons as well.”

Artsbridge arts education programs are made possible through funding provided by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, the McDonough Foundation, Fenton Foundation, WVCFCU, City of Vienna, City of Parkersburg, and by contributors to the Artsbridge Fall Fund Drive, GiveLocalMOV, and donations made throughout the year.

“We are so appreciative of all the help and assistance provided to Artsbridge,” Oliverio said.