POWER MASKS

Art Education Project + Student Exhibition

Rowan University Art Gallery is teaming up with Clearview Regional High School, Rowan University’s Department of STEAM Education, College of Education, and Philadelphia-based artist Claes Gabriel.

Claes Gabriel, who will be exhibiting at Rowan University Art Gallery this spring, creates vibrant three-dimensional paintings that are the source of inspiration for this project. The Power Masks project invites students to create their own sculptural masks allowing exploration of personal identity and autobiographical narratives through creative portraiture.

A key goal of the project is to bring an artist directly into the classroom setting. To do this, the project launched with a visit to Gabriel’s studio, followed by a teaching demonstration to Rowan Art Education students, and an artist presentation to Clearview Regional art students. The Art Education students will use their new-found skills, knowledge, and inspiration to teach Clearview Regional students the unique art of mask making. 

Co-organized with Professor Jane Graziano of Rowan University and Clearview Regional High School’s Art Teacher Sandra Koberlein, the project culminates with an exhibition of the students’ artwork at Rowan University Art Gallery that will be on view to the public April 15­­–22.