In 2020, folks became accustomed to donning face coverings when grocery shopping, visiting with friends and even hiking trails and riding bikes.
Masks of a different sort are returning to the Museum of Art Fort Collins as part of the center’s 17th annual Masks Exhibition and Fundraiser. While last year art fans had the option to view the creations virtually with a 360-degree tour, this year visitors have the opportunity to see over 200 creations up close.
“So much of the performing and visual arts have been in stasis and hibernation for 2020 and 2021 so far,” said Lisa Hatchadoorian, executive director of Museum of Art Fort Collins. “I am glad for the access and new ways of telling our stories through the digital realm, but at the end of the day the performing and visual arts are meant to be experienced in person. That is so true for the masks project where photography and video don’t always do justice to the surfaces and materials that get used to create the diverse masks on display.”
In addition to the onsite exhibition, interested art buyers can bid in an online auction that starts on Friday and closes at 9 p.m. on June 20.
The base clay masks — produced by artist Chris Wanner from molds designed by Molly Babcock — have been transformed into striking works of art by a diverse array of community members.
“Because we have 219 masks for sale, there is, as always, such a variety of surfaces, materials and subjects, “Hatchadoorian said. “The masks delve into everything that our artists think about, whether that is COVID, landscape, various animals — turtles, jaguar, llama, lions, crabs and others make appearances — emotional states, beautiful abstract glossy surfaces, flowers, gardens, childhood, mythology and current events all weave in and out through Masks 2021.”
Rather than simply painting the surface, many creatives have incorporated the adhesion of clay and a variety of supplies to form intricate mixed-media pieces.
“Materials range from paint, to wax, felt, mosaic, glass, cloth, wood, to an actual functioning train set,” Hatchadoorian said.
From established artists to students, mask designers are selected from a pool of applicants who are eager to be a part of the beloved community project.
“Every year I think I know what my mask is going to look like, and every year, when I receive my mask, my idea changes,” said Fort Collins artist Karla Gronberg, who has participated in the show for eight years. “It’s like the mask, if you will, lets me know what it wants to be. Sounds crazy, I know, but that’s what it feels like.”
Some of Gronberg’s prior offerings included three-dimensional pieces that look like a colorful fruit bowl, an oversized shimmering apple and a woman resting on a smiling sliver of a yellow moon.
Gronberg’s latest mask features two sunflowers sculpted from clay and, like all of her masks prior, it also functions as a working clock.
“This year, in trying to find the design, I started thinking about all the craziness we were living in,” Gronberg said. “That’s when I knew the design needed to help create feelings of calm and happiness when it was looked at. About a week later, I had a memory of one of my driving trips across Kansas. It’s one of my favorite drives. I absolutely love the miles and miles of sunflower fields. At that point, I knew I had found my mask. Just the thought of the sunflowers brings a smile to my face. So, I’ve tried to create the feeling of the wind blowing through the petals — the sense of serenity, the feeling of freedom. You know, happiness.”
From Rae Russell’s mask that bears the words of the U. S. Constitution, yet is cracked down the center and held together by wire to Peggy Short’s landscape work that brilliantly incorporates the use of fiber and a tiny owl figure, the pieces aim to tell a story.
“These masks are so fun to create and enjoy,” said accounting technician Dawn Stroh of Fort Collins. “I’m really happy to live in a place where non-artists like me can participate.”
While Stroh refers to herself as a “non-artist,” her detailed camper trailer mask — complete with charming flower-filled window box — tells a different story.
“Camper trailers have become my favorite thing,” Stroh said. “My goal is to rebuild a trailer and take it on the road for fun-filled adventures. This is where my inspiration came from. Everything really came into place and I enjoyed every minute of it.”
This is Stroh’s second time crafting a mask in the show.
“My inspiration for my first mask came from my son,” Stroh said. “Since he is a U.S. Navy sailor that is what my mask became. I dedicated that mask to all who have or are serving in the military. By far that is my favorite one. I really look forward to creating and expanding my mask art.”
A vital fundraiser, providing one quarter of the museum’s total operating budget, this crowd-favorite has raised more than $1.7 million dollars over the years.
Registering for the online auction also gives bidders free admission to the Masks Exhibition.
MoA set a sponsor goal of $35,000 and has already exceeded that amount with $46,188 raised.
“For the online auction itself, we would like to raise $35,000,” Hatchadoorian said, noting that that puts the average cost of each mask at $160. “Which is so affordable if you want to start your art collection — collect local artists’ (work) and support what we do with our exhibition and educational programming at MoA.”
