Mentor Artist Julia James explored masks with the first graders at Mary Silveira School:
“The students and I began by looking at original masks from West Africa and Indonesia. Students observed the similarities and differences and as a class we shared and made connections to traditions in cultures around the world. We then designed a mask together, as I drew and the students called out suggestions, using shapes incorporating symmetry. Symmetry was explained as what is on one side of a face is repeated on the opposite.”
Students then created their personal mask beginning with pencil line and then adding vibrant colors with soft oil pastels.
This lesson is wonderful in that it highlights many art standards and compliments the social studies unit on cultures and family traditions.