Reception for show of Puerto Rican artisan masks this Saturday

CaRo Art Studio and Gallery
290 Pratt St., #48, Meriden, (203) 886-6809
Los Vegitantes: Cultural Artisan Masks by Angel Sanchez Ortiz
Oct. 15—Nov. 5, 2011.
Opening Reception: Sat., Oct. 22, 4—8 p.m.

Press release

Angel Sánchez Ortiz is a master artist in the Puerto Rican tradition of vejigante mask-making—the colorful spiky paper mâché "mascara" worn during carnival. His striking, fantastical masks of boldly painted paper mâché depict animals, legendary people, and sometimes spirits and monsters that are imbued with cultural meaning. He builds the body of the mask on a form, often a balloon, a basketball, or a plaster form he shapes for this purpose. Decorative elements such as horns, protruding eyes, and articulated jaws, also made from paper, are added to the base form to create the mask's character.


Meet the artist this Saturday at the opening reception, from 4—8 p.m. There will be a mask-making workshop with the artist on Sun., Nov. 6. Call the gallery for information on time and tuition cost.