Straw Masks have been the part of many cultures around the world.  They are used for festival, ceremonies, or just for the plan joy of the mask itself.  The American Museum of Straw Art has a large selection of straw masks from around the world. Each is its own beauty and uniqueness.

Lada, Goddess of Love is a mask from Belarus. It was created in 2004 by a 14 year old Andrey Rozum of Minsk. It uses split straw as a means of appliqué with woven borders and beads.

This untitled mask is created by Marya Kravchuk of Tulychic Village of Turiysk, Ukraine and is one of the best masks we have in the collection. 

This fish mask is a delightfully different mask that has some great motion and depth to it. Created by Ludmilla Stukalova and is known as Vodianyk – Master of the Lake. She too is from Tulychic Village of Turiysk, Ukraine.

Another of our favorite masks is the “Spirit Mask” made from millet straw from West Africa. It was worn by young boys who had their faces muddied and danced to scare away evil spirit from the new year’s crops.

This straw appliqué mask is one of our most intricate masks and was painstakingly created by the late Amir Kumar K.C. who tragically lost his young life last year. It is a treasure from someone of great talent who is now passed from our gaze.