Masks, masks and more masks is the theme of a new show at the Masterworks Gallery this evening. All of the masks in the show entitled ?African Masks? were created by arts students from The Berkeley Institute.

Their art teacher, Gail Palacio, told The Royal Gazette earlier this week that the students had put a lot of time and effort into preparing for their show.

?This art show reflects the creative talents of some of The Berkeley Institute students, mostly aged between 14 to16 years old,? she said.

?The masks are the result of a lesson in which the students and I discussed what a mask was, why a mask would be worn and by whom and also what kinds of materials a mask can be made from and whether all masks are meant to be worn.?

The masks the students made are in a variety of materials and they were also encouraged to write explanations for their creations to be included in the show.

?We used Plaster of Paris, papier mach? and cardboard,? Ms Palacio noted. ?Then the masks were painted and further embellished with wool, raffia, beads and other interesting bits.?

Ms Palacio said before letting their creative juices loose the students looked at masks worn in various cultural rituals.

?We looked at their use in theatres, celebrations, rites of passage, war, and even in modern day (uses in) sports such as a helmet in American football,? she said.

We also looked at our own Gombey dancers here in Bermuda.? In the end, the students focused on Africa and its spiritual healers, warriors, agriculture, people and animals.

?We read from a book of African and tribal names,? Ms Palacio said.

?We discussed the struggles of our African ancestors, as well as the beauty and strength of our people and of the students themselves.

?The results are seen not only in these masks, but in the students? writing as well. They are quite insightful.

?Much of what was written is descriptive of the masks. Not all that is written is fact, but rather an imaginative transition of what may have been learned in class.?

With their descriptions the students offered a glimpse into their inspiration. Janae Nesbitt said of her creation ?Mask of Gruesome?: ?My mask shows what a tribe leader has to go through when someone from his tribe is killed. There is a scar of remembrance.?

While Kimeka Tacklin said of her ?Un-D?Fined: ?My mask would be worn by a warrior during the time of an attack. It would only be worn once and then be displayed in the house of the warrior who once wore it. It would be displayed to show people who may visit the house that the individual has fought for something.

?It would also be displayed to remind the warrior who wore it of the struggles he endured the day he wore that mask and to be thankful he is alive.?

Deanne Lightbourn said of her ?Pink African Mask?: ?My mask is pink, black and white with green dots on it and it has the same colour hair on it as the face. This mask symbolises the beauty within.?

Michael Hudson named his ?Calm? and said it was about trying to relieve yourself from everyday negativity, while Ronnika Roshay?s is entitled ?Black Pride? and her aim was to show all of the challenges that people of African descent have endured.

?Mr. Africa?, by Sierra Scraders, depicts a man representing his tribe and his dedication to his family and peers.

She said: ?He is a proud warrior and respected. He wears the colours of his nation proudly.?

Seaionna Burgess?s ?Black Beauty? is a representation of calmness, beauty and youth.

?My mask has gold, silver, bronze and black,? said Miss Burgess. ?The black is because I?m of African decent. The bronze represents my complexion. The silver is for happiness and brightness and the gold is because it?s unique.?

Me-Esha Pace created a religious mask, which she called ?Ujima?.

?This mask keeps good spirits inside the house and keeps demons away,? said Miss Pace.

?Culture Shock? by Gherdai Hassell is in the colours of red, gold, green, black and silver.

?When put together all the colours mean unity, wealth and culture, which gives it its name,? said Miss Hassell.

Chrishan Thompson called his ?Dry Cry? and said it ?represents the cry my people made when we were taken into slavery?.

The show will remain up in the Rose Garden Gallery until December 22.