We Wear the Mask Art Kit

Ajani’s Arts & Crafts creates arts kits for people of color.

We give Black and brown people a creative outlet to express themselves through art. . 

Our first art kit is based on the poem, “We Wear the Mask”, by Paul Lawrence Dunbar.  (Dunbar was an influential African American poet and writer, who lived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.)

In the poem, Dunbar writes about our need to wear a mask to hide our pain.

The theme of the poem is universal. We hide parts of ourselves from the world and only show what we want people to see.

Our mask is what we put on to hide our true feelings and emotions.

In this art project you will: Create a picture of the “mask” YOU wear to hide yourself from the world. Then create a picture that represents the real you or who you want to be.

The experience is insightful because you learn more about yourself.

It engages you.

And let’s you be creative.

Our Historical Legacy

Black and brown people have had to wear many masks throughout our history.

It’s a shared experience among Black and brown people around the world.

We’ve had to hide our true thoughts, feelings, emotions and even our facial expressions.

Wearing a mask has been our survival technique.

Many of our ancestors had to wear a “mask” so they didn’t face the indignity of being “disciplined”, or “put in their place”?

Today, we “code switch” in professional or social settings to fit in?

We switch up the way we talk, walk, and react.

Dr. W.E.B. Dubois described it as “double consciousness”. The sense of being one person with two identities. It’s the battle between how we feel inside and who we show to the world.

But wearing a mask can be exhausting.

It affects our mind. Our relationships. And can even affect our body.

It’s called “Racial Battle Fatigue”.

Racial Battle Fatigue is the exhaustion we feel from repeatedly having to navigate a world that is hostile and unforgiving toward us.

It affects our mental, physical, and emotional well being.

It can make us feel depressed, anxious, angry, frustrated, and resentment.

But through our Resilience…we survive.

We get up.

We get ready.

We step out the door…and we put on our “masks”.

Create Your Mask

With this art project you will: Create a picture of the “mask” you wear in public. (The one you use to hide your feelings, emotions, fears, or pain.) Then create another picture that represents the real you or who you want to be.

Each art kit contains:

• • Two sheets to complete the art project
  • One set of “skin tone” crayons or colored pencils
  • One set of “regular” crayons or colored pencils
  • A pencil with eraser
  • One black marker
  • A copy of the poem “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
  • A copy of instructions to complete your art.

DIRECTIONS

Read the poem, “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. In the poem, Dunbar writes about the mask we wear to hide our pain, to be accepted, or to fit in.

Think about the “masks” you wear to hide your feelings, emotions, thoughts, pain or fears from others.

We Wear the Mask
By Paul Laurence Dunbar

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,–
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!

Mask One

Use one print sheet to create a mask that shows the one you wear in public.

Draw, color, and write your feelings, emotions, thoughts, or roles.

Use a mix of words, drawings, or images. Use different colors to help express the meaning of your mask. Use BIG and small sized words.

Use your imagination to be creative!

Tip: Before you begin, write down some of the things you want to put on your mask.

Mask Two

Use the other printed sheet to create a picture of who you are or want to be.

Write, draw, color, and scribble  your feelings, emotions, thoughts, or roles.

Use a mix of words, drawings, or images. Use different colors to convey your feelings and emotions. Write your words BIG or small.

Write down:

• • Your strengths
  • Your good qualities
  • What others like about you
  • What you like about yourself
  • Your goals or dreams 

Write as much, or as little, you want.

You’re done when your picture reflect who you are or want to be.

Now, SHOW OFF YOUR ART! (If you feel comfortable with sharing.)

Put it in a frame. (Record a memory of where you were at this point in your life.)

After you’ve created your masks, I hope you will be inspired to show off more of your true self.

Have fun.

And create your art!

Order your We Wear the Mask Art Kit below:

The We Wear the Mask Art Kits  start at only $24.97 (FREE shipping included)