La Madera Vive! Mascaras de America Latina y pocos otros lugares (The Wood Lives! Masks from Latin America and a few other places) is an art exhibition featuring a collection of 20 wooden masks from around the world. The gallery will be open during art walk and available after that by appointment (360-383-0109). Beyond simply an opportunity to show these masks to the public, the exhibit marks the beginning of an effort to donate 2 collections containing 600 masks to a museum or cultural center. 

A message from the collector:

600 Masks Seek a Home

I have two collections of masks to donate to an institution where they might be seen and enjoyed by the public.  I would especially like to find a place that serves a Latino community since the majority of masks are from Latin America*.  One collection was built over 30+ years by Pat Alzobaie and the other by me over 25+ years. 

The mask traditions of Mexico and other Latin American countries keep alive the roots and history of people and countries, of course.  But mask making is also an artistic endeavor worthy of respect in its own right as a medium equal to sculpting, painting and graphic arts. The two collections together constitute both an artistic treasure as well as a cultural one.

Alzobaie and I have hoped that our collections could offer immigrants in the U.S. a sense of pride in their history and themselves especially when they may be facing discrimination and bigotry.  We have hoped also that non-immigrant citizens of the U.S. will recognize the artistic achievement of Latin American mask making and take an interest in masks as objects that convey more meaning than simply how they have been used traditionally in dances and ceremonies.

Finally, we have hoped that the combined collection will support mask makers as they explore new meanings and uses of masks… in addition to traditional ones.  Our 2 collections contain masks that either expand on traditional designs or introduce completely new ones.  A mask that bears a likeness to ex-President Felipe Calderon (Mexico) and another that purports to show a chupacabra are examples of contemporary mask making.

If you know of a home for these two collections, please contact me, Tom Yost, at (360)383-0109 (talk and text) or at tomyost@hotmail.com.  My collection can be seen at  www.tomyostontheweb.com.

In advance, thanks!

*The 2 collections have a few masks from Southeast Asia, Africa and Canada in addition to Central and South America and Mexico.