Ca Macana Mask Making Class

Canals, gondolas and glass are Venice's symbols, but the colorful masks that decorate shops and faces during Carnevale are also part of the city's artistic traditions. And you can learn the ancient craft during a two-hour course in one of Venice's most respected workshops.

Ca' Macana makes the various forms of masks in respect of the 800-year old tradition. Using hand-carved plaster models, they create paper mache' molds that are then decorated in a myriad of ways with time-honored techniques and materials. They explain the history and cultural aspects of the masks, along with the various shapes and decorations. Then they let you loose, with assistance when wanted, to make your own special creation. What better keepsake to take home from Venice than your own hand-crafted creation?

Mask-making in Venice dates back to the 1200s, and rose in popularity through the centuries. Worn during the decadent period of Carnevale to conceal identity and social status, the mask enabled party-goers to slip out of class restrictions and enjoy the bacchanal festivities in any way they chose. Masks, and carnevale itself, were banned in 1797. But the city revived this millennia-long tradition in the 1970s and it's become a popular event drawing international crowds. And of course, no carnevale is complete without a hand-made mask. But these creations are also artistic and beautiful, making them lovely reminders of Venice itself.

Want to take a mask-making class? Contact Ca' Macana and sign up for a workshop during your visit to Venice!