High School

Portrait of Victoria by Alexis O.

The Essential Question
How can we tie concepts of identity and self-expression to mask-making?

Objective
Students will express themselves through a mixed-media mask.

Materials
paper, pencils, erasers, measuring tape, cardboard, cutting mats, craft knives and scissors, masking tape, papier-mâché, gesso, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, water cups, found objects (optional)

Procedures
1. Students sketch preliminary ideas for a mask that expresses something (or several things) about their identity, then they select a final design.
2. Students measure their head (height × width × length) in inches. Using those measurements, they construct their mask from cardboard. Students can use masking tape to temporarily hold pieces together if needed.
3. Students papier-mâché their mask. When dry, they gesso their mask and then paint it.
4. Students add other materials or found objects to enhance their mask (optional).

Assessment
Students write a description of their mask and explain how it represents them.

Frank Juárez is an art teacher at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.