“Stay Safe” Masks Exhibit Expands to Traverse City
Michigan Legacy Art Park and Crooked Tree Arts Center Co-Host Encore of the Community Art Project Exploring Life in Quarantine
Over 200 paper maché masks will be on display at Crooked Tree Arts Center Traverse City as part of the “Stay Safe” Masks Exhibit, curated by Michigan Legacy Art Park.
Since launching in the fall last year during the quarantine, over 1,000 high School students, families, and individuals from the Grand Traverse area and nationally have now decorated masks in this growing public art project.
The Traverse City exhibit is free and open to the public from April 1 — April 17, 2021. Masks will fittingly be required while inside the gallery and the exhibit is open from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturdays.
Crooked Tree Art Center is located in the heart of downtown Traverse City with ample street parking.
Created by artist and Art Park Director of Education Patricia Innis, the goal of the “Stay Safe” Masks Project is to invite individuals to reflect on their personal experiences during quarantine and to foster a sense of connection through the arts. Participants decorated white paper maché masks to depict their quarantine activities, thoughts, and emotions. Participants described the experience as creative, reflective, and as an innovative tool to discuss the ongoing health crisis with others.
Seven local high schools and organizations have participated in this new exhibit including Traverse City High School, Traverse City West & Central High Schools, Benzie County High Schools, Frankfort High School, and Arts for All, among others. Since its inception, the project has reached as far as California, Minnesota, and Colorado, and 16 local organizations have participated.
You can invite and share exhibit details and plan your trip with others anytime on Facebook.
The project has grown from an original collaboration and exhibit between the Art Park and the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, who hosted over 400 masks created by individuals from across the state and country in February, including from international legend James Earl Jones.
The Art Park has also published a How-To blog for anyone interested in participating in the project from home, creating your own version with groups or organizations, or trying it as a family.
About Michigan Legacy Art Park
Founded by internationally acclaimed artist David Barr in 1995 to enrich lives through experiences that connect art, nature, and Michigan’s history. Contemporary Art comes to life in the park’s permanent collection of almost 50 works, located in the midst of a 30-acre forest preserve. The Art Park hosts thousands of visitors and students each year, features miles of trails, world- class concerts outdoors, art and nature workshops, and extensive education programs. Visit michlegacyartpark.org.
About Crooked Tree Arts Center
The Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) — with locations in Petoskey and Traverse City — has the mission of inspiring and enriching lives through the arts. Serving the community for nearly 50 years in the Petoskey location and 6 years in the Traverse City location, the community center provides arts programming for all ages to learn, engage, explore, critique, discuss, and discover.
