Maskmakers

Maskmakers are artisans who design and build masks for performance, ritual, ceremony, and display. They may work as independent makers or as staff for theaters, film productions, museums, or festival groups. Maskmaking encompasses a wide range of traditions, from decorative masquerade masks to character masks used in theater and from ceremonial masks in various cultures to contemporary cosplay props.

The typical process begins with concept art or sketches, followed by sculpting a model in clay or another pliable material. A mold is created from the sculpture—often plaster or silicone—and the final mask is cast in materials such as papier-mache, latex, silicone, resin, or wood. After curing, the surface is cleaned, textured, and painted; fittings, straps, or linings are added for wearability. Some masks are carved from wood and then painted and sealed.

Historically, maskmaking appears in many cultures, including ancient Greek and Roman theater, African and Oceanic traditions, and Venetian Carnival. In modern entertainment, maskmakers work alongside prop makers and special effects artists to create theatrical props, creature effects, and wearable masks for film and television. The craft combines sculpture, mold-making, painting, and fabrication techniques, with attention to comfort, durability, and safety.

Education and careers in maskmaking vary. Some practitioners learn through formal art or theater programs; others pursue apprenticeships in studios. Key skills include sculpture, moldmaking, patterning, painting, and an understanding of materials and safety considerations such as ventilation and allergen exposure. Notable aspects of the field include its cross-cultural heritage and its continued relevance in live performance and media production.