Mask Making at the Overnighter

Steve Whitecrow Pyke, the mask maker, participates at the overnighter. This is your chance to finish the mask you made last year or make the base for a mask if you haven’t done one in the past. Please limit your activity to one station or the other. We have limited space, time and supplies.

This is an added cost activity to cover the cost of the mask maker!

TO MAKE A NEW MASK:

The first step is constructing the base for your mask. It is made from plaster of Paris and reinforcement fabric. This composite fabric is applied directly to your face after a protective layer of petroleum jelly is smeared over your skin. Rag strips to keep off the plaster will protect your hair. The end result is a special mask that will snugly fit only your face when completed. Those too your or not wanting to use their face as the mold can build the base on an inflated 12" balloon.

The material must remain on the face or balloon for approximately 20 minutes to dry set. A household blow dryer set on ‘low’ or ‘air’ will help speed the process. Once dried, the first step or the base of the mask is completed.

TO DECORATE LAST YEAR’S MASK:

Bring the base mask you made at last year’s event and decorate it this year. How you decorate your mask is totally up to you! More plaster can be added to build the base into whatever form you desire. Painting the mask will definitely add to its character. Almost anything can be attached or glued to the mask for finished appearances. It is highly recommended you or your tribe check out library books or other sources to get ideas for your masks. Akron’s library has more books on the subject than Taylor library. Once you decide on a style, photocopy your mask ideas at the library to eliminate the chance of ruining borrowed books with messy craft materials.

Fathers will need to assist their sons with gluing and attaching materials to the mask. Dads will need to drill small holes near the mask’s side edges to attach lacing or string for tying the finished mask to the head. Also, dads will have to make sure the eyeholes are large enough to ensure a good field of vision. You can separately purchase false eyes to be attached behind the eyeholes and make your mask a wall hanging. (Some false eyes have mounting shafts on the backside, so again, dad’s assistance is needed for this step).

COUNCIL WILL SUPPLY THE BASE MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTING NEW MASKS. THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME MATERIALS SUPPLIED TO DECORATE AND FINISH LAST YEAR’S MASKS SUCH AS PAINT, YARN AND ‘FLUFF’ STYLE FEATHERS.

MASK MAKING SUPPLY LISTS: