Ceramic Masks Created by Old Rochester Regional High School Students Currently on Display at Marion Council on Aging

MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are pleased to share that ceramic masks created by Old Rochester Regional High School students are currently on display for Tri-Town community members.

The display is open for viewing until March 28 at the Marion Council on Aging Office at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill St. 

The masks were made by students in art teacher Joanne Mogilnicki’s Ceramics I class. Each fall, students learn about masks as tools of transformation and cultural significance. They research selected masks from a diverse range of global masking traditions, studying symbolism and contextual rituals and/or celebrations.

Students then reinterpret the masks through their own personal narratives and use vibrant colors, intricate shapes and meaningful designs to craft maquettes before creating a final, life-sized mask.

COA volunteer Rosemary Ahern invited Mogilnicki’s student artwork to be on display for the Tri-Town seniors.

“We are so thrilled to have the student artwork displayed at the Community Center. It is especially great to have these vibrant works displayed during the dull and dreary days of winter,” Marion COA Director Karen Gregory said. “Beyond the color and energy that these pieces contribute, we get to see the lesson that was assigned to the students and the inspiration behind them. It was fascinating to read about the culture and symbolism behind the masks and the student’s interpretation in the finished work.”

Students wrote an origin story about why their mask exists and its unique transformative powers. The colors, shapes and facial features, as well as the decorative additions and subtractions of each mask, are designed to represent the powers unique to each mask.

The following are clips of the “Mask Stories” written by students:

“Eye of the Gods” by Mackenzie Silva
“This mask has the power to allow you to see all sins and lies people commit or are committing right before your eyes and help fix those sins.”

“Sunny Days” by Julia Crain
“When this mask is worn it is supposed to metaphorically bring a ray of sunlight to follow that person. The person who wears the mask will have good luck and their days will seem ‘brighter.’ The purpose of the mask is to bring positivity and happiness to those who wear it and to those who need a good day.”

“The Baule Mask” by Chloe Bairos
“Legend has it that the mask is as old as time itself. The special power associated with my mask is the ability to turn back time. When used properly, you may travel back to any day you would like and (re)live it. At the end of the day, you shall return home.”

“The Deane” by Calder Eaton
“A mermaid, wanting to be a human, made the mask only having a sense of what a human face looks like up close. She is soon to find out that she was wrong and she was called a monster by the people of the village. Humiliated, the mermaid retreated back into the water, throwing the mask away, cursing anyone to wear it again.”

“Orchid” by Isabella Feeney
“This mask gives the wearer the ability to grow flowers and plants on command.”

“Broken Dreams of Creativity” by Caroline Houdelette
“When worn, this mask gives the wearer confidence and strength.”

“Amethyst” by Jiya Patel
“The power associated with the mask is healing. When worn it can heal any body part in a matter of seconds. It can also regenerate limbs. During a war, an Army man was the first to discover the mask. He put it on due to its green glow. The mask healed all his injuries.”

“All Seeing” by Lucia Valadao
“The special power associated with this mask, when worn, is to be able to see all and time travel.”

“Chin Point” by Andrew Nee
“Wearing this mask gives the wearer the power to understand or predict weather.”

“Mask of Beauty ” by Hayden Belanger
“The mask allows you to see the inner beauty in everyone when you put it on, no matter what they look like on the outside.”

“Lei” by Murray Callahan
“When you wear this mask you immediately radiate good energy and love. It has the ability to do good for others and make them turn that frown upside down. It brings sudden happiness and a bright light to people around you. This mask also heals the suffering of flowers found on the island of Hawaii. The joyous energy it gives can cure a dying and dull flower in an instant.”

“Funny Bunny” by Liam Cassidy
“The wearer of the mask is transformed into having flash powers.”

“Mark” by Molly Franco
“When worn, this mask gives the wearer the ability of flight!”

“Charge Mask” by Blake Moreau
“The mask gives the wearer the ability to power any electronic device within 20 feet.”

“Lucky Charm” by Maya Morrison
“The function of my mask is to give good luck. When it is worn everything goes your way.”

“Hidden Souls” by Ghost DesRoches
“When worn, the mask forces the wearer to act like their true self and forces them not to lie or be indirect with intentions.”

“This is a great project for students to use their imaginations and express their creativity as they create their masks,” Superintendent Nelson said. “Congratulations to our students on their outstanding creations and thank you to the Marion Council on Aging for featuring the masks for community members to enjoy.”

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