Sedona AZ (May 11, 2016) – Make a mask of your face that represents your vision of healing! May 27th, 1pm-4pm, at Sedona Arts Center, mask maker and performance artist, Pash Galbavy invites participants to a make a healing mask as one of 12 events for the Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley’s activities for Mental Health Awareness Month. A demonstration of Galbavy’s fast and easy mask making technique can be seen on the Videos page of www.unmaskit.com.
The history of masks dates back millennium. Traditionally they are thought to embody the spirit of the characters they represent. In this mini workshop, participants will make a mask of their own face, to represent what healing means to them. The mask can then be decorated to become a personal healing totem. Masks may be displayed at the Sounds of Healing Concert, at Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Rd., Sedona, on May 28th at 7pm.
Galbavy is creator of Face Up to Peace (www.faceuptopeace.com) a mask making project to raise awareness for the development of world wide departments of peace. (http://www.dopcampaign.org) A long-time Sedona resident, Galbavy has made masks with people in the larger Sedona community for over 15 years. In 2003, she invited participants to make masks for the Peace Prayers Project. These life-sized figures were made in response to the Iraq war and represented people’s vision of peace. The figures were exhibited at Goldenstein Gallery. In 2009, Galbavy received a City of Sedona Emerging Artist grant to create “Seeing Through our Eyes”, a mask making project that showcased the creativity and diversity of members of our local community. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 80 and the finished masks were displayed at the Sedona Public Library.
Galbavy has also offered a couple of ten day mask making workshops for students at Verde Valley School, and mask making to students at West Sedona Elementary School.
Galbavy says of her workshops: “No experience is required to make a mask. Some people are intimidated by the idea of making something ‘artistic.’ But my passion is expressive art that focuses on meaning over aesthetics. I tell new mask makers that they can do no wrong whatever form their creation takes. The focus of these masks will be on ‘healing,’ whatever that means or looks like to participants.”
Galbavy has a Masters of Communication and over 20 years experience working with groups. The mask making experience will be imbued with the values and attitudes of the Person-Centered Approach. There will be no expectation or agenda other than self-and-mask discovery with an emphasis on conditions of positive regard, empathy, and genuineness. Galbavy says: “This is not just about producing something. Interacting, listening, witnessing, and accepting others are all parts of the healing we will practice and co-create together.”
The Mask Making for Healing Workshop will take place May 27th, 1pm-4pm at Sedona Arts Center. Come be a part of Mental Health Coalition Verde Valley’s activities for Mental Health Awareness Month. Reservations are required, please contact, 928 649-0135, blitrell@aol.com. For more information, see www.mentalhealthcoalitionvv.org or www.unmaskit.com.
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