Masking is a tradition that is as old as Mardi Gras itself. Concealing one's identity behind a mask would allow a Carnival participant or parade rider to carry on in public with a cloak of anonymity. Mask making was such an important part of Carnival in Venice that a statue was erected to honor them in the early 1400s. Today, in countries around the world, wearing of costumes and masks adds to the color and excitement that makes Carnival such an important celebration for millions of people.
Today masking is done for various reasons. Some do it to carry on the tradition, while others do it just for the fun of it. Masks are so popular in New Orleans that you can find them in shops year round. There are also special events just for masks, such as the Mardi Gras Mask Market which is put on by The French Market for the weekend before Fat Tuesday. Some of the best mask makers from New Orleans and all over the country come to offer their creations at this three day event.
Over the years masks have been made from a variety of materials including paper mache', cloth, wood, and more recently plastic. Masks can be quite basic and simple or can be very detailed and ornate. Correspondingly, a mask can range in cost from only a few dollars to fancy masks for balls that cost thousands. Some of the nicest and most durable masks are made from leather which is cut and shaped while wet over special mask forms. These masks are then hand painted or decorated with the addition of feathers and other baubles and bangles. Susan Magliato, a recent addition to the Mardi Gras Mask Market started out using plastic form and decorating them, but after taking a class in leather mask making, she was quickly hooked. She has given up her glue gun and concentrates completely on making leather masks at local art fairs as well at through her Dante's Masquerade web site. Magliato the Maskmaker used to joke that, "There is just something about the smell of wet leather in the morning." This whimsical saying has become her mask making calling card.
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