African Clay Mask Making for ages 8 - 15 (and ages 5-7 with a parent)

For ages 8 - 15 (and ages 5-7 with a parent). Celebrate Black History Month with this introduction to African cultures through art, and explore your own creativity at the same time. In the workshop each person makes and decorates their own clay mask. Then they inscribe the back with their name or any other message they choose and then hang it on the wall or give it to someone as a gift. The workshop includes storytelling from the Kingdom of Benin and the learning of Nigerian greetings. Older kids are able to choose from an index of meaningful Adinkra symbols from West Africa, with which to decorate their masks, but are also free to simply decorate from their imagination. Everyone will receive printed instructions for drying and painting. Tools of the workshop include  a colorful map of Africa, images of a variety of traditional masks, and a view of previously-made masks for inspiration. Registration begins January 13 for everyone.