Update: Actor David Arquette is no longer able to attend. A new special guest has been announced.
Updated Feb. 18
Due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, original guest David Arquette is no longer able to attend this year’s event. He has shared a statement expressing his continued support for the Center and his enthusiasm for Julio Torres’ participation.
From David Arquette
“I was truly looking forward to joining the Center for Puppetry Arts for this year’s gala, so it’s with genuine disappointment that I have to step back from the engagement due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict.
The work this organization does — celebrating creativity, storytelling and the magic of puppetry — means so much to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for their understanding. That said, I’m very happy to share that the gala will be in wonderful hands with Julio Torres, who I know will make the evening special and inspiring for everyone attending.
Thank you for your continued support of this art form that is near and dear to me, and I hope you have an unforgettable evening on March 21.”
Original String Fling 2026 announcement
The Center for Puppetry Arts has announced actor, producer and puppetry enthusiast David Arquette will be a special guest for String Fling 2026, the Center’s annual benefit gala celebrating creativity, imagination and the enduring art of puppetry.
Taking place on World Puppetry Day, March 21, String Fling 2026 marks the beginning of a three-year countdown to the Center for Puppetry Arts’ 50th Anniversary in 2028. Each year, as they approach the milestone, the Center said they will welcome a distinguished friend of puppetry as the String Fling Special Guest — highlighting artists and advocates whose passion reflects the power and reach of this timeless art form.
The Center is “thrilled to feature Arquette as the inaugural guest in this celebratory series.”
Enthusiasm and influence
“David Arquette brings both genuine enthusiasm and deep respect for puppetry as an art form,” said Beth Schiavo, executive director of the Center for Puppetry Arts. “As we begin this countdown to our 50th anniversary, David’s presence underscores the enduring influence of puppetry across entertainment, culture, and generations.”
“I’m overjoyed to support the Center for Puppetry Arts and the String Fling 2026 theme, ‘The Spark of Imagination,’” said Arquette. “It’s a celebration of that initial idea, doodle, sketch or conversation that gets a creative idea flowing. And it reflects the energy of this exciting moment in time for the Center.”
About David Arquette
Arquette is the youngest of the Arquette dynasty, which stems all the way back to his great-grandparents, who were Vaudevillians. Arquette is a multi-talented actor, producer and lifelong pop culture fan whose career spans more than three decades of beloved films, television series and cult classics.
He is widely known as Deputy Dewey Riley in the iconic “Scream” franchise, with additional fan-favorite roles in films such as “Never Been Kissed” (1999), “Eight Legged Freaks” (2002) and “Ready to Rumble” (2000). He was also featured in “Muppets from Space”(1999) and “It’s a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie” (2002).
Beyond the screen, Arquette is also a passionate professional wrestling devotee, famously winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in a tag-team match and later chronicling his unconventional return in the award-winning documentary “You Cannot Kill David Arquette” (2020).
In 2021, Arquette realized his childhood dream and purchased the rights to Bozo the Clown. Since then, he has been collaborating with clowns, artists and charities to create a clown-collective focused on promoting kindness, inclusiveness and pure fun throughout the world.
Arquette is an ambassador to Feeding America, The Kids Mental Health Foundation and The Violence Intervention Program, in honor of his late sister Alexis Arquette. Arquette is also a certified Bob Ross instructor and donates painting classes to charity to help spread joy to people around the world.
Arquette’s career reflects the same joy, commitment and imaginative play that fuels the art of puppetry. A dedicated collector of puppets and puppetry artifacts, Arquette has long championed the artistry, craftsmanship and character-driven storytelling that define the medium.
About String Fling 2026
String Fling is the Center for Puppetry Arts’ annual fundraising gala with a goal of $350,000 to support the Center’s work providing creative and cultural experiences to thousands of children, adults, families, students and educators through a large variety of annual programming.
The String Fling 2026 main program will include Arquette joining leaders from the Center for Puppetry Arts — along with a puppet pundit — for a chat about their appreciation of the art form and its place in culture. The evening will also include an elevated selection of food and beverage, curated puppetry activations, exclusive auction offerings and a festive program supporting the Center’s legacy and future.
In addition to the live event on March 21 at Guardian Works in Atlanta, fans and supporters nationwide can bid in String Fling’s online auction, running from March 15 to March 21.
Each year, hundreds of supporters attend the String Fling gala, and thousands more participate in the online auction, so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets or register for the auction early.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and auction pre-registration are now available. For more information, visit one.bidpal.net/stringfling26.
