Through the personal creation of a mask, individuals impacted by cancer put a face to their pain. The medium of a blank canvas in the form of a paper-mache' mask, invites us to apply to the mask anything that represents the cancer journey. Art gives us freedom, gives us permission to express ourselves through the creation of the mask.

The mask project was highlighted in the February 2015 National Geographic Magazine which ran an article about military personnel suffering from PTSD due to war traumas and brain injuries.  Service members were given a blank mask made of papier-mâché and plastic to decorate. The masks they made revealed things beyond the reach of the most high-tech neuroimaging machine. They showed the psychology of pain. Read all about this healing project at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/150213-art-therapy-mask-blast-force-trauma-psychology-war. 

Join local artist and cancer survivor Tracy Gonzalez at 1 pm to create your own mask. All materials will be provided.