Spurlock Sunday: Mask UnMasked—Creating a Character Collage

• Event Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025
• Time: 1:00 pm–3:00 pm (CDT)
• Location: Collaboration and Community Gallery, Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL
• Age: All ages
• Cost: Free

• Hands-on
• Family-Friendly tag

Humans have discovered that masking provides a distinct survival advantage. For example, the use of mud or pigments to camouflage the body against our surroundings aided our distant ancestors, whether they were in the role of hunted or hunted. Masking also involves strategically managing the impressions we give others, through our appearance and mannerisms. This ‘code switching’ allows us to successfully navigate social situations. On the one hand we might conceal aspects of our personality that mark us as suspiciously ‘different.’ On the other hand, like so many superheroes and performing artists, we might expose our beloved talents, abilities, or opinions far more easily by channeling them through the presentation of an alter-ego (ex. Tyler the Creator or Superman). This liberating practice can include the use of make-up or attire that psychologically helps us remain ‘in character’ and helps others alter their normal perception of us and accept these new characteristics.

Please join us during this session to create something called a "Character Collage". We will provide print media (magazines, newspapers, etc.) from which you can cut out a collection of images that will be assembled and glued onto the surface of a molded-paper mask of a human face. The collage will visually symbolize aspects of your personality that you often mask OR represent a range of abilities you more commonly choose to reveal through the presentation of an alter ego alternate character. Or you can create something else altogether! It’s your choice.

Artmaking Prompt:

"Show who you are ‘on the inside’ using images that reflect things you treasure about your personality but that don’t necessarily reflect how you physically appear 'on the outside'."

About the Series:

Spurlock Sundays are free, drop-in programs held on one Sunday of the month from 1:00–3:00 pm. Programs are open to visitors of all ages and developed with youth and family in mind. Spurlock Sunday activities can take a multitude of forms, from crafts, games, performances, topical open-mic sharing, community conversations, and hands-on experiences with cultural artifacts.