Make a kid-size animal mask to wear in the Olympia Procession of the Species. Cost: $7. 00 for each mask made* (see details below).About this Event
**We want the Procession Studio to be accessible to all. If you do not have funds to pay for this class, send an email to [email protected]. **
Papier-Mache Animal Masks for Kids
If you’ve been wondering how to transform yourself into an animal to join in the Procession of the Species, this class is a good place to start. Papier-mâché is a mixture of glue, water and paper. The mixture is then applied to an animal face form and, when dried, becomes your mask. After the class, it will take a couple of days for the masks to dry, then you will come back to the studio on your own and paint/decorate the mask (studio staff is available to show you how).
Note!! Your mask will not be immediately available for wear due to drying times of the papier-mâché and drying times of the paint you apply. Estimate about a week from the time you start your mask until it’s ready to wear. There are two sets of 5 animal face forms available: cat, bear, fish, bird and horse. Because of the limited number of forms available, you may not get your first choice of animal.
Children who enroll should be able to follow simple instructions and be able to apply three coats of papier-mâché to the form. Class is limited to 10 children. We ask that an adult be present to assist children, but accompanying adults do not need to pay. Come prepared to work with glue and paint which are messy.
Process (in-class):
In a basin, mix one part glue to one part water.
Tear a paper bag into irregular shaped pieces.
Massage the paper pieces with your hands to begin to break down the paper fibers.
Dip the pieces of paper into the glue mixture and continue to massage and squeeze the pieces to remove the excess moisture and to further break down the paper fibers.
Apply three layers of the papier-mâché to the inside of the form. This will ensure that your mask will have enough structure to hold its shape.
Allow your mask to dry for at least two days in the form. Drying allows the papier-mâché to solidify.
Follow up (on your own with help from studio staff)
Once the mask is completely dry, gently remove your mask from the form.
Wash the form and return it to the papier-mâché area.
Use a sharp blade to cut out the eye holes on your mask. [FIRST remove the mask from the form!]. Ask for help from Studio staff, and do not allow children to handle the cutting tools for this step.
If you are going to paint your mask, a base coat of white paint will make your other layers of paint appear brighter. Each layer of paint will add further rigidity to your mask. A final coat of a clear gloss will add more shine to your creation.
Add beads, shells, feathers, raffia, etc., as you wish. Feel free to bring your own decorative items.
Due to the long drying time, these forms will only be available for workshops, and not for open studio use.
Event Venue
Armory, Eastside Street Southeast, Olympia, WA, USA, United States
USD 7.00
