Teacher Galleries: African Masks
This gallery features ceremonial masks from countries across Africa now in the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Collection. They demonstrate the variety of styles, ritual uses as well as the powerful creative expression in their design.
At Shawmut Hills Elementary School, 5th grade teacher Kay Bekampis designed a project related to curriculum standards on African history and culture.
Kay taught her students about African masks and used the Digital Collections to explore and study examples of authentic African masks. Students took inspiration from these records to create their own paper mache masks using half gallon milk jugs as the base and decorating with beads, string, paint and other craft items.
