The Cleveland Museum of Art Shares a Cultural Celebration in Masks
(Pictured from left) Daisha Rigo, Reggie Perkins and Raymel Menefee examine a handmade Yoruba mask depicting three natives and a sacrifcial pig,carved from one piece of wood.
“Around the World in Masks” easily could have been the theme of a hands-on outreach program for Ms. Laureen Thomas’ Visual Arts students, presented by The Cleveland Museum of Art, in collaboration with Cleveland Public Library Collinwood Branch and Collinwood High School.
The CMA docents’ presentation included a discussion and close-up look at masks from Japan, Indonesia, Nigeria and Alaska. As students carefully examined each mask, they learned about its unique construction, symbolism, and history.
The class also enjoyed hearing about customs practiced by a variety of people and tribes, the Noh, Maasai, Yoruba and Tlingits among them. Perhaps the highlight of the program was examining the brilliantly-colored and delicate Mardi Gras mask, made entirely of feathers.
Gail Greenberg
Gail Greenberg is the media specialist at Collinwood High School.