Students in Karen Grabowski's studio art classes studied masks from different cultures recently. Lessons dealt with the history of masks, why they were used, and how they were made.

Students developed ideas for their own masks from examples, and then went to work creating them.

Clay masks were formed over a plastic base. The clay was rolled out and placed over the form.

After the masks were formed, they were dried and fired in a kiln. Students then used their creativity decorating them with acrylic paint.

Kids in Mrs. Grabowski's eighth grade art class made paper mache masks using paste and strips of paper to form animal masks. Many layers of paper were applied to get a sturdy base.

To decorate the paper mache masks, students used acrylic paint, yarn, pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, and feathers.

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