This project I started with the 7th grade classes at Forest Park middleschool, and I have been so impressed with what I have seen so far! Unfortunately, I will be unable to see out the end of this project, but I have no doubt what they create will be excellent!

In this unit, students will design and create paper-mâché masquerade masks inspired by global masking traditions and personal symbolism. Students will begin by exploring how different cultures use masks to represent identity, storytelling, social roles, and celebration. They will then create their own mask that both conceals and reveals aspects of their identity: “For this project, pretend you are designing a mask for a masquerade. It should conceal your identity to strangers, but through symbolism, color, and design, be recognizable to your friends and allies.” Students will sculpt a base using tin-foil impressions of their faces to create relief, build forms with paper-mâché, decorate with mixed media, and reflect on the expressive choices they made.