Butterfield fifth-graders make masks in art class

Fifth-graders at Butterfield School in Libertyville are making colorful masks, using all recycled products.

The masks made out of milk jugs are so popular, students want to bring them home to show their parents rather than have them put on display at the next open house.

"We started by looking at cultural and historical references as to why people make masks," said art teacher Alicia Sather. "We then looked at a modern artist named Jason Mecier, who makes relief portraits of celebrities only using recycled products and found objects.

"The students have to figure out how to use newspaper or other objects to build up shapes to make faces. We started with everyone having a half of an empty plastic gallon of milk. It is a great lesson in trying to think more in a three-dimensional way."

Combing masks and the recycled products has been very interesting, Sather said.

"I think masks are important because they are used in some way in every culture around the world and serve so many purpose," she said. "I am seeing kids take more risks with this project then some would with drawing or painting. I think when some students paint or draw, especially by the time they are in fifth grade, they are so fearful of not doing it right. Afraid that their drawing will not be an exact representation of what they wanted.

"I think this project working three dimensionally has taken away some of that fear. I see so many kids taking risks on this project that never have before. They are becoming so expressive," Sather said. "Each week they want to add more and experiment. I think it is really making them think.

"They need to make so many decisions as to how to attach things to make it work and have some of the features stay in place. I also love that they are being so supportive of each other in this project, helping each other solve problems or think of new ideas," Sather explained.