TITLE: They Put On Masks
AUTHOR: Darlene Prina, Arapahoe School, Fremont City, WY
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 8 (adaptable to K-8); art history
OVERVIEW: Mask making is an activity which can be utilized
in higher learning and disseminating knowledge of art
history. Students learn the reverence of mask making from
several cultures, besides their own. Students experience
the cooperative learning spirit.
PURPOSE: Students gain a greater perspective of other
traditions and beliefs. They gain experience in exploring
several medias. Students also work together, learn to share
and care.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Students cooperate with each other.
2. Students learn to manipulate a variety of media.
3. Students explore other traditions of several cultures.
4. Students increase creativity by making something new
and different.
5. Students will this increase feelings of self-worth.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Slides of Native American art
Expert or mask-making artist in nearby area
Literature regarding African or any other culture that
celebrates with masks
plaster of paris
Paris craft plaster strips
buckets and warm water
rafia acrylic paint, brushes, glass medium
sculpty mold compound
beans and peas
scissors, paper, markers, Vaseline, pantyhose
drop clothes and plastic
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. View and discuss a slide presentation of Native
American art.
2. Explore African mask-making viewing pictures.
3. Attend a demonstration by community mask-maker,
viewing a variety of masks made nationally and usage
of masks in ceremonies.
4. Create a preliminary picture of mask.
5. Attend a demonstration of mask-making procedure.
6. Cut and prepare for making masks.
7. Make masks.
8. Decorate masks.
9. Display and/or create skit so school may view.
TYING IT ALL TOGETHER: Students critique: What design
principles and elements have I used? What do I especially
like and what will I do differently next time? Students
display masks with "special" name and stories of purpose, or
Students create a skit for other selected grades to observe,
after which masks are displayed.
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