🌿 Turning Masks into Animal Faces: A Creative Ritual for Connection
There’s something quietly magical about watching a plain white mask become something wilder—brighter—more alive.
At Upward Together, our workshops invite youth (and the young-at-heart) to lean into their imaginations and create masks that aren't just decorative… but expressive. Our latest community art ritual? Turning everyday masks into bold, beautiful animal faces.
Think: leafy green snakes, glowing tigers, sea-blue owls, or neon caterpillars.
It’s part art therapy, part storytelling ritual, and fully designed to spark confidence, creativity, and calm.
✨ Why Animal Masks?
Animals give us archetypes to embody—strength, softness, play, protection. When kids (and adults) choose to become a lion, or a butterfly, or a wise old turtle, they’re telling a story with their hands and hearts.
This practice gently taps into:
Imaginative play
Symbolic expression
Mindful making
And it doesn’t require fancy materials. Just markers, a few pipe cleaners, some soft yarn or scraps, and lots of laughter.
🐍 Our Favorite Sensory-Inspired Mask Ideas
🦉 Forest Owl
Use blue marker strokes for feathers, layer hearts or leaves around the eyes, and add pipe cleaners as little ear tufts.
🦁 Sunset Lion
Try golden yarn as a mane, orange and yellow paints to swirl energy around the face, and draw bold lines to show courage.
🦋 Dream Butterfly
Create symmetry with pastels, glitter glue, or tissue paper. Let each wing hold a wish or intention.
🌱 Jungle Snake
Channel the grounding energy of the earth with green patterns, leafy textures, and swirled lines.
🌈 What This Practice Does for Kids
These hands-on, sensory-based art rituals are about more than crafting.
They:
Soothe anxious minds
Invite stillness and presence
Build storytelling skills
Promote self-confidence through creation
It’s also a screen-free, grounding moment to just be. To choose. To make something that matters—even if it’s silly or strange.
💛 Bring This Into Your Home or Classroom
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community partner, Upward Together can help guide your group through this mindful art experience.
We offer:
In-person creative wellness workshops
Custom school programs
Corporate and nonprofit team sessions
And seasonal ritual kits (coming soon)
Let’s turn your space into a soft sanctuary for expression and imagination.
🎨 Book a Mask Ritual Workshop
Want to bring this experience to your school, office, or event?
We’re booking Spring and Summer 2025 activations now.
👉 Learn more about Upward Together’s wellness programming
Upward Together is a Los Angeles-based arts & mindfulness collective transforming burnout into peace of mind through rituals, art, and community.
Let’s make something meaningful—together.
