Come help us chase winter's gray, cold days away! In the spirit of masquerade festivals around the world, artist Valeska Populoh will lead a two-part, hands-on, family-friendly and inclusive workshop in making colorful animal masks and headdresses.

On the first day, we will explore the pleasures of color mixing and painting, by collaboratively creating sheets of brilliant colored paper. On the second day, we will transform these papers, and ourselves, by making fantastical animal masks and headdresses. The workshop is FREE, with all materials provided, but plan to bring a smock or wear clothing that you are not afraid to get paint on!

The first session of the two-part workshop will take place on Saturday, January 21st from 11am to 1pm, with the second part on Saturday, January 28th from 11am to 1pm. The workshop will take place at Make Studio’s Showroom Gallery in the Schwing Art Center, 3326 Keswick Rd., Baltimore. This workshop is suitable for all ability levels and is open to the public; participants are encouraged to attend both sessions, but contact us to discuss possible accommodations if you can only come for one. RSVPs to [email protected] are appreciated.

About Valeska Populoh

Valeska Populoh was born in Germany and now lives in Baltimore. Before beginning her work as an artist and cultural organizer, Valeska worked as a policy advocate and educator on environmental and social justice issues. She earned an undergraduate degree in International Affairs at American University in Washington DC, a certificate in ecological gardening and permaculture design from The Linnaea Farm Society in British Columbia and apprenticed on organic farms. She returned to school in 2003 to earn a BFA in Fiber and an MAT in Art Education from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where she now serves on the faculty of the Fiber Department. Valeska utilizes costume, mask and puppetry techniques to create performances and actions in public spaces that respond to environmental and social concerns. Valeska works in collaboration with other artists, community organizations and performance groups to invent, create and curate cultural actions and performance events.

About Make Studio

Make Studio is a 501(c)3 community-based arts organization located in Baltimore, MD. Founded in 2010 with the mission of providing multi-modal arts programming to individuals with disabilities, Make Studio aims to put art and abilities to work throughout Baltimore and beyond to create more inclusive communities for all.