Art can save us
By Marcia Hodgson
Resident Community News
Fashionistas often draw inspiration from world events, and this year has been no different. With the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, 2020’s newest fashion statement, the face mask, was born.
As COVID-19 spread across the nation, medical experts strongly espoused the wearing of facial coverings as the best way to protect oneself against infection while limiting the transmission of the virus within the community. A perfect union of function and fashion, donning a face mask is now as much a part of daily life as wearing a coat or sporting a pair of sunglasses. And although utilitarian KN-95 and blue paper surgical masks may dominate many faces within Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods, there is nothing that says masks need to be boring. Masks can be artistic statements. In fact, faces swathed in colorful, unique materials can showcase identity.
To celebrate the “new normal” fashion accessory, the Resident Community News held a “Masks for Aid” contest at the end of last year. Contest winners’ work is showcased in the sixth annual edition of Circles, a Social Datebook & Charity Register now available on newsstands. Readers from the community had been requested to create their own artistic facial coverings, and the response was overwhelming. Several intriguing face wrappings were made by the students of art instructor Jessica Grotberg of Orange Park, including “Fish” by winner Stephanie Keith, and “Raven” by runner-up Riley Cox. Receiving third place was a handsomely hand-embroidered mask by Kelly Sullivan, a student of Patricia Beach, an art teacher at Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies. The contest offered cash prizes to the top three winners.
“My inspiration to do this project was my love for fish and all the colors of their scales,” said Keith, 18. “I always try to challenge myself in each piece I do. I appreciate the help and support of my art teacher, Ms. Jessica, and my mom,” she said.
Cox also found inspiration from her mother as she worked to bring “Raven” to fruition. “What inspired me to do this mask is my mom as well as my friends at the art studio,” she said. “As far as I know, black birds mean a new beginning and so the mask represents a new beginning for everyone.”
Meanwhile, Sullivan’s great grandmother was her muse. “Growing up, I have always seen my great grandmother’s embroidered pieces around her house,” she said. “She always made the most beautiful designs, and I decided that I wanted to try embroidery for myself. In the last few years, she has not been able to embroider so I wanted to honor her passion for the art. I decided to embroider flowers on the mask because I wanted to create an elegant design that could be functional for someone to wear in the future.”
Other Wolfson High School students that sent in hand-created masks were Morgan Renfro, Megan Woolbright, Robert Grant, and Chelsea Dejesus.
Also competing in the contest were Tyler Brown of Orange Park High School, Olivia Raker of Assumption Catholic School, Livia Pinto of West Riverside Elementary School, Sophia Williams of Ortega, Tiana Fordham of Orange Park Art Classes, Sara Smith of Fleming Island High School, and Ronald Episcopal of Riverside.
One prediction is that artistic masks will be more sought after in the community as residents continue to adapt to the new reality. Already many fashion designers are transforming leftover fabric into face coverings that coordinate with apparel. Designers such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Fendi, and Gucci have taken to decorating face masks with their logos or designing them to go with their runway ensembles.
One thing is for certain, masks save lives and will be around for a while. We might as well have a little fun as we wear them.
By Marcia Hodgson
Resident Community News
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