Inside the Exhibition: Nantucket’s Surprising Connection to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Tony Sarg’s Nantucket Sea Monster balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1937
“The moment of action is the moment of humor….every little movement has a meaning of its own might well be taken as the slogan of the humorous artist.”
—Tony Sarg, The New York Times, 1925
Tony Sarg and his Sea Monster balloon on Nantucket, August 1937 (Photograph by Pivirotto)
Through December 31, a landmark exhibition is on view at Nantucket’s Whaling Museum, Tony Sarg: Genius at Play, celebrating the life, artistry, and legacy of one of the 20th century’s most inventive minds. Presented by the Norman Rockwell Museum in collaboration with the Nantucket Historical Association, the exhibition is the first to comprehensively explore the multi-faceted career of Tony Sarg (1880–1942), whose creative spirit touched everything from puppetry to parade balloons.
Sarg, a German-American illustrator, puppeteer, and designer, revolutionized entertainment and retail with his whimsical designs and boundary-pushing ideas. Perhaps best known for creating the inaugural Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons in 1927, Sarg’s genius extended to enchanting holiday window displays, pioneering marionette performances, and a host of beloved consumer goods. His summers spent on Nantucket for nearly two decades profoundly shaped his work, blending island inspiration with his vibrant imagination.
Themes That Inspire
The exhibition unfolds through thematic chapters, showcasing the breadth of Sarg’s talents:
From London to New York: The rise of Sarg as a celebrated illustrator.
A Passion for Puppetry: His groundbreaking marionette performances.
Experiments in Film and Animation: Forays into early cinema.
Balloons Over Broadway: The evolution of Macy’s iconic parade.
Commercial Whimsy: Branding brilliance in toys, textiles, and décor.
The Big Stage: Sarg’s theatrical contributions to fairs and cityscapes.
The Artist’s Legacy: A look at his enduring cultural impact.
A Visionary from the Start
Born in Guatemala in 1880 to a German diplomat father and a British mother, Sarg’s inventive streak appeared early. At just six, he devised a mechanical contraption to feed chickens. Surrounded by puppets and toys passed down from his grandmother, a skilled watercolorist, Sarg developed a lifelong passion for marionettes.
Sarg’s journey took him from Germany’s military academies to London’s artistic circles, where he thrived as an illustrator. After marrying American Bertha “Bert” McGowan, the couple moved to the United States in 1915, escaping anti-German sentiment in wartime England. In New York, Sarg flourished as a commercial artist and established Tony Sarg’s Marionettes, a national troupe that helped revive puppetry in America.
Tony Sarg’s Sea Monster on South Beach in August 1939
Nantucket Inspirations
In 1920, Sarg discovered Nantucket, an island that would become his summer retreat and muse. Here, he painted seascapes, illustrated children’s books, and infused island lore into his art. Bert’s seasonal gift shop on Nantucket’s cobblestone streets became a launchpad for Sarg’s island-inspired products: whimsical maps, hand-painted boxes, and charming toys that captured the spirit of Nantucket. These creations later expanded into a chain of Tony Sarg Shops in locations as far-reaching as New York City and Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Balloons, Books, and Bankruptcy
Sarg’s whimsical creations for Macy’s—described as "upside-down marionettes"—defined holiday celebrations for generations. Yet, his prolific ventures came at a cost. Overextended financially, he declared bankruptcy in 1939 but continued working until his untimely death in 1942. Today, his legacy lives on in the parade balloons that delight millions and in his imaginative designs, which continue to charm art lovers and collectors alike.
The Exhibition Experience
From Sarg’s marionette stages to his bold Macy’s balloons, Tony Sarg: Genius at Play celebrates the artist’s endless creativity. It also offers a rare glimpse into his Nantucket connection, a chapter of his life that remains deeply woven into the island’s artistic heritage.
Tickets are $50 for association members and $75 for non-members.
(Photos courtesy of the Nantucket Historical Association)