Unmasking an Experience: A recap of the Central City Mask-Making Workshop

Sa-Rai Robinette Leads the Workshop

Professional Artist, Sa-Rai Robinette, lead the mask-making workshop as she is a professional mask-maker and skilled in paper mache. The Artist had three different types of Halloween mask instructions for participants to follow along and mirror. The three models included a skull (beginner), a bat (intermediate), and a Frankenstein (expert). This three-day workshop was a neat upcycling project that can be taught and then done in the comfort of your home. For those who weren't able to make it, you can read this short blog on how we created our masks! See below for the final result.

Step One: Draw and Cut

For the first step, participants drew and cut their masks out and carefully planned it with the help Sa-Rai and the detailed instructions. Some participants used the instructions as inspiration and created their own interpretations of a spooky mask!

*Tip: Use a box cutter rather than a xacto knife for clean edges!

Step Two: Paste your pieces together

For the next step, participants pasted their pieces together using hot glue. It was easy to tape the pieces together first, using painter's tape or masking tape.

*Tip: Ensure there are no gaps and edges fit perfectly so paper mache mixture will not seep through the holes!

Step Three: Foil and paper mache!

To add dimension, participants wrapped their masks in aluminum foil. Make sure if you are doing this from home that you are hot gluing the foil to the mask to ensure it's sealed and secured.

Then, participants learned how to mix the clay paper mache mixture! You can watch this process here. Sa-Rai did not want to take the credit for being the paper mache queen; however, she does credit Jonni Good, from Ultimate Paper Mache, for the recipe used! Participants then spread their paper mache mixture onto their masks in a thin layer. It takes two days to dry!

Things you will need: