Mask Making for Teachers October 16, 2008

This two night workshop will give teachers, parents and child care workers great projects and ideas for making masks as a teaching tool. Integrate creativity and reading while practicing art and performance skills. Learn to explore the masks of the world's cultures within a respect for the beliefs and power of these people and their practices. Within such a space of respect fun exploration with masks has the power to enlighten and
broaden cultural understanding.

One of perhaps a dozen experts in the art of mask making, Chicago’s Jeff Semmerling is an internationally renowned artist, international presenter and historian of masks and their relation to world cultures. Art students from around the world regularly come to Chicago for instruction and inspiration.

In 1981, after graduating from Northwestern's Theater School, Jeff traveled to New Orleans where he discovered and honed his art from Mardi Gras style experts. Tragically, since Katrina, most of New Orleans' original mask art and artisans have been lost.

Semmerling’s masks require 12-14 steps from beginning to end. His designs either partially cover or fully cover the face with the finest custom molded leather pieces. Prices range from $25 to $500 for a feathered, leather creation to thousands of dollars for a couture piece.

Animals, birds, bugs, monsters, supernatural beings and glamorous, blinged out designs are just a few of the designs Jeff creates. His limitation is your imagination. Top-of-the-line masks are elaborately embellished with feathers, jewels and custom beading. By request, Jeff designs couture masks for the most elegant galas, costumes and fashion shows.

Masks tell stories and often play significant roles in cultural celebrations and festivals. Of course, here in America, consumers spend hundreds of millions of dollars on Halloween celebrations. Also, of enormous importance to Chicagoland’s community of nearly 2 million Mexicans, is the traditional “Dia de los Muertes” (Day of the Dead) celebration on November 1.

Semmerling has been consigned for original pieces for theater, corporate and pop culture clients including:
- Disney/MGM Studios Theme Park
- The Goodman Theater, since 1988
- Joel Hall Dance Studios
- Amadeus at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater
- Equus at the Actors Theater Workshop (the horse head, of course)
- “ Smile” mask was worn on Tyra Bank’s “ America’s Next Top Model”

Hoping to teach urban kids about themselves through art, Jeff often visits and lectures at schools and park districts. This year, his teaching program was funded by a grant from the Oppenheimer Family Foundation. His students at Farragut Academy are here: www.theartofthemask.blogspot.com

Official Website: http://www.insideoutarts.us