The 19th Annual Masks Exhibit at the Museum of Art | Fort Collins begins Friday, March 3 and continues through May 5, 2023. The auction is a major fundraiser for the museum and it's one of my favorite shows!
Don't worry if you are far away from Fort Collins, Colorado, because the full auction catalog is online at THIS LINK. The masks are listed in alphabetical order of artist's last name, and there is a search option at the top of the page. Not only can you see photos of every mask, you can place a bid online also! Bidding on each mask begins at $50. Details in the online catalog.
Here is my album of progress photos/videos I took while creating my 2023 mask; click on any photo to see a larger image and descriptive caption. To see my finished mask, scroll down to the bottom of this page. :)
Why is MASKS my favorite exhibit? This year over 220 different masks were created and donated to the museum by (mostly) Northern Colorado residents. I love seeing all the creativity and diverse approaches taken by individuals, and the artist's statements deepen my understanding and appreciation of the art works. The annual MASKS exhibit is always inspiring! Also, over the years, the auction has raised $1.8 million for the Museum of Art Fort Collins. What's not to love?
New this year: a MASKS special edition magazine, featuring artist interviews and photos by CSU Journalism students, and lots of juicy background information about the Museum and the annual MASKS Exhibit and Auction. CLICK HERE to open Masks 2023 Special Edition. You'll be glad you checked it out!
Here's my Artist Statement for my 2023 Mask:
"A Complicated History"
As I began painting my mask with successive colors the concept of a “layered past” occurred to me. In this country's history, there has been both liberation and oppression; triumphs and atrocities. Today, there persist many injustices in our society and prejudices in our own minds. Let's educate ourselves, acknowledge our complicated past (and present) and do the hard work of creating a more just world for ALL PEOPLE.
Thank you for your support of my work!
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- Gale