The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children presents
MASKS
A unique experience....in a unique setting. Discover the magic, creativity and fun of Masks!
| Dates: | Friday 4 July – Sunday 17 August | |
| Times: | 10am - 5pm | Tuesdays - Saturdays (last admission 4pm) |
| 12pm - 5pm | Sundays (last admission 4pm) | |
| Age Range: | All ages | |
| Prices: | €4.50 / €4 concession** [exhibition only] | |
| €15 / €13 Family ticket (Group of 4) [exhibition only] | ||
| **price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | ||
This summer, The Ark is featuring over 200 masks from around the world, probably the most comprehensive collection of masks ever displayed in Ireland! This exhibition is accompanied by lively videos displaying the various uses of masks.
Designed to captivate, delight and inform children of all ages and their families, this is an experience which will introduce you to the fascinating world of Masks! We have included as many authentic artefacts as possible from a wide variety of traditions as well as masks you can try on, complete with mirrors for you to admire yourself…
From the moment you enter The Ark you will be greeted by the Carnival Dance Masks from Mexico on the left wall. This interactive display features Viejo and Vieja de Carnaval (old men and women), Caballero Masks (warriors), Animal Masks (knights), Diablos and Miscellaneous Humans from the collection of Tony Donoghue. These masks come from various locations in Mexico including Baja, Guerrero, Zinuatenejo, Pueblo, Michochan, Acapulco, San Cristobal, Mexico State and Oaxaca. Spiderman, Batman, and Robocop, from the collection of Paul O’Brien, are also on display in the reception area.
As you come up the spiral staircase you will see latex masks by the second year model-making students from the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
The long room on the first floor consists of African ritual and ceremonial masks, from the collection of Frank X. Buckley and Dr. Michael P. Burns, which offers an introduction into the vibrant cultures of Ghana, Guinea, Dominican Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Angola, Mali, and Nigeria.
As you continue your journey to the gallery on the second floor you will be surrounded by performance masks from various cultures. This includes a fascinating stand-alone exhibition from The Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre entitled ‘Behind the Mask’ curated by Dr. Malcolm Knight. This exhibition concentrates on masks from great traditions of popular performances including Japanese Noh and Italian Commedia as well as masks for actor training and a variety of tools for mask-making. Also included on the Masks in Performance floor is the masks of the Four Temperaments, as used by Raymond Keane of Barabbas and the red nose!
Lastly, don’t forget about the straw and willow masks from the Irish Mummers tradition in The Ark’s basement. These are from the collection of Dara Valley of The Armagh Rhymers, who will bring the Mummers masks to life at The Ark on Sunday 27 July.
This is a chance for the whole family to explore the fascinating beauty of masks and, for an even more hands-on experience, why not join our skilled Ark artists for one of our mask making workshops for ages 3 and upwards.
Click here to download more information about this exhibition in PDF format,
Or read The Ark blog here
Special thanks to all those who made Masks! possible
Masks! Workshops
Join our skilled Ark artists for an opportunity to create your own unique mask, which is yours to keep! For children and young people from ages 3 upwards, with special family/group workshops on Sundays.
Go Wild!
If you were an animal, what would you be?
| Dates: | Friday 4 July – Saturday 16 August | |
| Times: | 10.30am | Tuesdays - Saturdays |
| Age Range: | 3 - 5 years | |
| Prices: | €10 / €8 concession** [workshop and exhibition] | |
| **price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | ||
Working with basic animal mask designs, children can let their imagination run wild to create real or imaginary creatures.
Through the jungle of mirrors and sounds children will adorn their creation and transform into their animal selves.
With artist Laura de Búrca
Seasoned Carnival Masks
Working with food, around the theme of seasons, your mask
will look and smell good enough to eat!
| Dates: | Friday 4 July – Saturday 16 August | |
| Times: | 12.30am | Tuesdays - Saturdays |
| Age Range: | 6 - 8 years | |
| Prices: | €10 / €8 concession** [workshop and exhibition] | |
| **price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | ||
Say goodbye to the spring showers, wish for a snowy winter or celebrate the summer sun with your own tribal masks.
Using a variety of colourful, natural and fragrant materials, children will design and make their own masks to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
With artist Liz Smith
Tribal Crests - Family Workshops
Create your tribal mask as a family or group.
| Dates: | Sunday 6 July – Sunday 17 August | |
| Times: | 12.30pm & 3pm | Sundays only |
| Age Range: | 3 - 103 years! | |
| Prices: | €34 / €28
concession** Sunday Family Workshop (group of 4) [Free entry to exhibition with this ticket] |
|
| **price for students, senior citizens, the unwaged, those parenting alone and their accompanying children | ||
Why not show your Mum, Dad or Guardian what really goes on in The Ark?
Each Sunday, come with your family (including aunts, uncles, godparents and grandparents) to create a family of masks to bring home for even more creative play!
These workshops will explore the idea of identity and culture within your family and for a personal touch bring items from your own home to tell your tribal story through mask-making.
One for all the family!
With artist Siobhán Jordan
The Armagh Rhymers
| Dates: | Sunday 27 July |
| Times: | 2pm & 4pm |
| Age Range: | All ages |
| Prices: | Admission free but booking advised |
As part of the summer celebration of Masks! The Armagh Rhymers will visit The Ark allowing visitors two opportunities to witness the mummers masks featured in the exhibition coming to life!
The Armagh Rhymers are one of Northern Ireland’s most colourful and celebrated folk theatre ensembles. Instruments in their line-up include the concertina, flute, tin whistle, bodhrán, bones and the uileann pipes.
The group wear elaborate headdresses some of which are cone shaped whilst others are in the shape of animals such as goats, pigs and bulls. In the past, mummers would traditionally burn their elaborate willow, flax, rush and straw headpieces after each performance, but today the masks are too valuable to destroy.
Enjoy the Irish Mummers tradition in The Ark theatre through masks, dance, music, song and storytelling.
