Venetian Masks Plaster Mask Art Project

Italy is home to many great works of art, and Venice is famous for its masks. The history of Venetian masks goes back hundreds of years. This engaging art activity is perfect for a sculpture class, a 3-D design class, or a general high school art course. It would be fun to complete this art project at the beginning of the school year to coincide with Halloween or later in the year to relate to Mardi Gras. 

This downloadable zip file includes three files. The “Venetian Masks Lecture” PowerPoint is 22 slides long and covers Italian history very briefly. The focus is on Venice with original photographs of the city, canals, and Venetian masks. A half-page note guide for students to complete during the lecture is included as a PDF. The 2 page lesson plan is a PDF file, and it describes how to teach this 3 week project. A PDF of the rubric is also included, and it is designed to evaluate students based on balance, shape & form, color, craftsmanship, and professionalism. The rubric is worth 100 points, but a blank rubric is also included so the teacher can edit the point values.

The lesson plan describes how to instruct students how to create masks out of plaster bandaging, papier-mâché, and acrylic paint. 

Anchor Standard: 1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

Anchor Standard: 10. Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experience to make art.

Objective: Students will use visual balance.

Activity: Students will create a plaster mask that relates to Venetian art.

Materials: “Venetian Masks Lecture” PowerPoint, “Venetian Masks Note Guide,” pencils, erasers, paper, colored pencils, 2 yards of plaster bandaging per student, (optional plastic face forms and disposable gloves for students with plaster allergies,) scissors, plastic wrap, petroleum jelly, water cups, newspaper, papier-mâché paste, gesso, brushes, and acrylic paint

Time: 3 weeks

The Venetian Masks Plaster Masks project would work well with a unit on Renaissance art, such as Leonardo da Vinci Complete Drawing Art Project.

If you’re looking for a project about Venice for younger students, check out Venetian Masks Presentation and Art Project.