Monday, October 13, 2014

Mad Monster Masks....well, Maybe

October is the month for monsters, masks and mayhem!  I LOVE HALLOWEEN!  I also love making my costumes, so I planned First Friday Art Club around making masks this October. I wanted to share my skills and love of costume design, but I was not thoroughly prepared to teach the techniques, just reintroduce the method.   My mask intention involved paper mache', the white glue and paper strip technique.  Technical difficulties abound held back our mask making mode.
It turns out, the Corning Chamber of Commerce asked to introduce their YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY to my group.  I always welcome new ideas to share with my teens, and this program has tremendous value.  I welcome you to further investigate this amazing opportunity.  There is a fee, but certainly a worthwhile program for youth in Corning, NY. 

The mixed media mask (image above) was the intended goal during program planning. Paper mache' is time consuming, extra, EXTRA messy and very difficult to transport while wet.  These hindrances were evident within the first 10 minutes of the program.  What is one to do when faced with too many problems at once?  IMPROVISE!

With less than adequate time to produce a paper mache' masks, I told all participants to make what they wanted with the supplies available.  Cardboard masks, prepped and painted can be a wonderful form of self expression.  We had a flurry of madness and a ton of mayhem by the end of the program.  I had been pulled in more than 20 different directions in 10 minutes, so pictures of projects are lacking.  I have one memory that will always remain.

Clean up is necessary for my programs.  It is expected that attendance lasts the duration of the planned program.  For the kids who follow those expectations, they enjoyed the ever fun shake-the-parachute (a.k.a. camping tarp) game (a.k.a. dry that tarp quickly so it does not mold!)  The giggles and camaraderie involved in this simple step remind my of the innocence of youth and that a little mayhem is good for the soul.

Colorful Crayon Creations are on the calendar for November.
Bring a t-shirt and your imagination, we will provide the rest!
Thanks for stopping over at the First Friday Art Club.

.e.