MINI COURSES



These mini courses are on making and decorating papier-mâché masks.

They are very short and may be included in any tour itinerary.

They are presented in the main languages: English, French and Italian. On request also in German, Spanish and Russian.
They are also held on public holidays and after dinner.
They are very inexpensive so can be afforded by all.
No dangerous materials or tools are used.

Presentation:
The method of presenting the activities is the result of long experience working with all types of groups. Each group has its own particular needs and these activities can be easily adapted, giving the right emphasis to the theoretical part without taking anything away from the practical.

Aim:
The aim of these activities is very ambitious and not only practical: on one hand we intend - indeed, we guarantee - that each participant, even those with no experience of manual work, will create a genuinely well-finished mask of which he or she can be proud and which will be a gratifying reminder of their stay in Venice.
But this practical experience is also an excellent opportunity for learning at least some of the more fascinating aspects of how people lived in Venice in days gone by.
Venice is the only city in the world where the mask became an object of common, general, everyday use for most of the year. Before, during and after Carnival, life in Venice was conducted incognito and was extremely free and adventurous. There is an enormous wealth of historic facts, anecdotes, customs and practices associated with the mask; a real treasure of knowledge that is hardly ever re-evaluated and offered to the public.
We want those who participate in our activities to get to know that world because they will be fascinated by it, and because they can then better understand the meaning of that strange object, the mask, which they will soon be making or decorating with their own hands. The practical activity is therefore always preceded by a theoretical explanation which, though brief, gives the mark of quality to the whole experience and which, according to the particular needs of the group, entails the use of more or less sophisticated explanatory techniques.

MINI COURSE FOR PRODUCTION OF A TYPICAL VENETIAN MASK IN PAPIER-MÂCHÉ
Time required: 2 ½ hours (including the theoretical part)
Maximum number of participants: 55
Presentation:
Each participant is given a plaster mould of the most typical and significant Venetian mask: the "Volto". The work consists of filling this mould with several layers of a special absorbent paper, which must be previously dampened and spread with glue.


At the end of the work the mould is set aside to dry, meaning that the masks can only be returned after some hours (groups wishing to decorate the masks they have made themselves can therefore not do so on the same day). The edges and eyes of the rough mask must then be cut. We do this part of the operation before returning the masks so that participants are not required to use sharp tools.



MINI COURSE FOR DECORATION OF A PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MASK Time required: 2 ½ hours (including the theoretical part)
Maximum number of participants: 55
Presentation:
Each participant can choose one of the numerous unpainted models from our range.



These are antique masks from the Carnival, from Venetian daily life and the theatre (Commedia dell'Arte) or modern, fantasy models. The theoretical explanation allows everyone to understand the meaning of each mask, making the choice itself more gratifying. Each participant may also choose from seven different practical work possibilities: two colouring techniques suggested by us that are typical of traditional masks or, for those wishing to freely express their creativity, fantasy decoration with five finishing techniques.



At the end of the work each participant can take home their own mask which will be professionally finished and unique.

MINI COURSE 1+2
The work of groups doing both mini courses is the sum of the two programmes. It is a genuinely rich experience: during the second session they can paint the mask they have made themselves, plus another one of their choice. For technical reasons it is best to leave two days between one session and the other, though if necessary one day can suffice.



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