Stivers Fifth Street Gallery Presents

Stivers School for the Arts, Fifth Street Gallery presents “Masks: The Hidden Message,” an extensive collection of Mexican and Guatemalan masks. The exhibit includes over thirty masks originating mainly from Mexico and Guatemala, where they were discovered and acquired by a local collector. Masks from this region were used primarily during various ceremonial dances and were often worn with intricately designed, full-body costumes. In Mexico, El Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is the most popular mask-wearing celebration. The masks included in this exhibit are both fascinating and captivating; making one speculate about the carver who created them and the individual who wore them. These amazingly crafted artifacts range in subject; from terrifying devils to merry monkeys, and from the troubled and complexly bearded “water caller” to the mask with a humorous and smiling expression.

“Masks: The Hidden Message” will be on display at the Fifth Street Gallery located within Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 East Fifth Street, Dayton OH 45402. The exhibit runs from January 30th, 2012 to March 2nd, 2012, with a reception held on Friday, February 3rd from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is free to attend. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please contact Gallery Director, Shannon Grecula, to schedule a guided tour of the exhibit. Stivers School for the Arts and the Fifth Street Gallery will be closed for Winter Break, February 17th - February 21st.

Shannon Grecula
Stivers School for the Arts, Fifth Street Gallery Director (937) 542- 4179
SRGrecul@dps.k12.oh.us

For general information concerning the gallery or the “Masks” exhibit, please contact:  Stivers School for the Arts, Magnet Office (937) 542-7448