Eli Whitney Museum

The Mask

The mystery of the mask begins in the simplest of human exchanges. When you encounter a baby, you might cover your eyes with your hands. The baby will watch cautiously. When you open your fingers, the baby will revel in your magic.

Masks may disguise the face at a ball, amplify the voice on a Greek stage, animate the hand of an Inuit, or feign innocence in the Garden of Eden. A mask may proclaim or cloak identity. A mask may intimidate or allure. A mask may be undetectable and remain a mask all the same. Even practical masks convey a message: an aviator's goggles – adventure, a surgeon's mask – safety, a bandit's scarf – malice. We are born into a world of masked meanings.

We invent new masks. Many times a day you will notice someone 'donning' a cloak of invisibility – a tiny screen that masks eyes and being.

The Challenge

Explore the mask's meanings – disguise, amplify, animate or feign. Protect or play. Drop or peel a mask to reveal hidden intent or purpose. Invoke tradition or bend it. Capture expression in uncommon materials. Celebrate identity or cloak it in mystery.

The Benefit

Leonardo da Vinci painted with unrivaled vision, explored science and modern logic and invented with pure imagination. The Leonardo Challenge celebrates one of his inventions – improvisational creativity. One hundred artists, designers and playful spirits will transform a common subject – this year, the mask – with wit, whimsy and artistry.

The April 25th benefit will revel in those artists' visions. Through their generosity, and yours, the evening will support workshops and outreach to train a next generation to discover and express identity.

Single Ticket: $75

Supporter : $250
• includes 2 benefit tickets & tee shirt.
• underwrites a contributing artist & workshop project.
• acknowledged in online catalog.

Supporter : $500
• includes 4 benefit tickets & 2 tee shirts
• underwrites a contributing artist & community outreach project.
• acknowledged in online catalog.

Supporter : $1250
• includes 4 benefit tickets & 2 tee shirts
• underwrites an artist, designated workshop & scholarship.
• acknowledged in print, press release & online catalog.

Supporter : $2500
• includes 6 benefit tickets & 2 tee shirts
• a meeting to focus, direct and then assess the impact of your gift.
• acknowledged in print, press release & online catalog.

: $5000 +
• includes ∞ benefit tickets & 4 tee shirts.
• acknowledged in print, press release & online catalog.
• a meeting to focus, direct and then assess the impact of your gift.

Buy Tickets

Artist's Call for Entries: Please click the PDF link below to print out an Entry form to mail to us, or sign up online at our Registration site by clicking on the Buy Tickets link.

If you choose to sign up online, you will be asked to log in (if you are already in the system) with your email address, or create a new account. The online shopping cart is quite simple to use. Please call us if you have any questions. 203.777.1833.