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Create Your Own Art Camp ~ Visit Audubon Zoo

African Masks - July Project #1

By Kristy Oustalet, owner of Color Me Nola July 7, 2011

If you feel that you’re not artistically inclined, it can certainly be hard to motivate your kids to pull out the supplies and get those creative juices flowing.  So, instead of trying to create an art project out of thin air, a little trick is to use your outings as inspiration.   

Let’s take a day at Audubon Zoo and turbo charge it into a full Summer Art Camp adventure!  When you get to the African Savannah section, take note of the types of animals, their patterns, and unique characteristics- we’ll want to incorporate these details later. African mask embellishments are commonly inspired by animals.

Tribe leaders believe that by wearing the mask it acts as a medium to speak to animals.  So, go ahead, try out this art project and bring out your kid’s animal instincts! 

Materials:

Cardstock paper (colored and white)

Markers / Crayons

Puffed wheat cereal or dry beans

Scissors

Pencil

Glue

Draw the shape of the mask, and then the eyes, mouth, nose, and eyebrows.

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Cut out the mask, headpiece (large semi-circle), and a connector circle.

Cut into the headpiece to make it look like fringe.

Color in designs with markers and/or crayons- use your imagination!

Glue the mask to the headpiece using the connector circle

Add bits of cereal or beans onto the mask to make it look like the real thing! 

Want to learn more about other cultures through art?  

Pick up a First Class ticket to the ‘Passport to Art’ at Color Me Nola.