Steven Hill
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If getting plastered is your idea of fun, head to the Squamish Public Library this weekend for two days worth of a plaster mask making workshop.
Local artisan and Waldorf teacher Heather Royal will be leading the class tonight (Jan 20) from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday (Jan. 21) from 10 a.m. to noon.
"We'll be making masks out of plaster bandages," she said. "People will work in partners, taking turns smearing Vasoline on each other's faces and then applying small bandages to the face, leaving air holes, of course.
"When that hardens after 20 minutes, the mask can be decorated or used to make other types of masks, which we will discuss in the workshop," she said. "They can make half masks, such as those on a stick used at masquerades, or a full face mask attached with a string in the back."
Royal said the price of the workshop includes most materials, but if you have something specific from home with which you'd like to decorate your mask, you're encouraged to bring whatever materials you'll need.
Along with mask making, Royal said she would also offer "belly molding".
"If there are pregnant woman who want another option, I'm also offering belly molding at a bit of an extra cost, because a larger area has to be covered," she said. "They can wear a bathing suit and then have their tummy plastered.
"They can use that as a representation of what they looked like during their pregnancy," she added. "It's very symbolic and beautiful."
Royal suggested that participants bring old clothes and towels, as well, as plaster mask making can get a bit messy. "It's going to be a whole lot of fun," she said.
