Community Arts & Heritage Education Project

Mask Making Workshop
Artist – Moses Amik Beaver

11 youth from Vale Community Centre Boys and Girls Club and 3 youth from the Attendance Centre took part in this mask making workshop. In every session Moses brought one of his paintings and shared the story with the youth. We all shared stories about different aboriginal legends from different first nations people. Music by Alice Sabourin was used to inspire the youth.

• ·The first step was to make a “form” to shape their mask on. They were each given a lump of clay and then worked the clay over the form in whatever shape they wanted. It was difficult for some of the younger ones to understand that the clay was just the form they would later build on, but after Moses explained it to them they understood. Three dimensional clay creatures and faces began to emerge! The clay dried over several days.
• The second step was covering the mask with a very thin layer of Vaseline, then toilet paper. Then they began papering the masks. A mixture of flour, water and white glue was used with small strips of newspaper for the first layer, then small pieces of brown paper for the second. 5 to 6 layers of paper were done on each mask. The masks were left to dry.
• The third step was getting the clay out of the masks! Most came out easily but there were certain areas that were a bit more difficult. Small tools were used to dig gently in the crevasses so all the clay would come out.
• The fourth step was painting. Acrylic non-toxic paint was used and the youth were encouraged to mix their own colors. The sky was the limit and off they went!
• The fifth step was decorating the masks and adding interesting bits and bobs. They used: driftwood sticks, stones, feathers, ribbon, jewelry, wool, string and anything else they could get their hands on!
• The sixth step was securing elastic, cutting eye holes and gluing sponge on the inside for comfort so the youth could wear the masks. We experimented with movement in the gym and Moses played his flute. Everyone danced! We shared bannock and juice and each youth received a signed copy of a print from one of Moses paintings as a “certificate” for finishing their masks. We hope you enjoy the finished product as much as they enjoyed making them!

Community Arts & Heritage Education Project would like to thank Justice Canada, Thunder Bay Boys and Girls Club, Creighton Youth Services and the Attendance Centre for their support in this initiative.