Who would know that our day in Venice would become ripe with intrigue? Imagine, if you will, four mild-mannered women with a love for Italian culture and lifestyle who have just met in Venice for the first time. Immediately engaged in delightful chatter over a lovely breakfast in a most intimate little hotel, it never occurred to us that our day was about to take on such a playful and adventurous turn.
After breakfast, we embark upon a short and winding walk along the stony streets of Venice to Ca’Macana, one of the oldest and finest mask-making workshops. We have decided to choose and decorate our own masks in the old Venetian way.
Just inside the shop we are greeted with floor to ceiling masks of all shapes and colors. Feathers, plumes and jewels embellish them with a great respect to tradition. I’m instantly captivated by this enormous display of colorful and creative art. A chest lies open lined with little masks of various sizes and patterns. Animal masks are everywhere and seem to be a favorite.
These authentic masks are crafted just as they were 800 years ago by Venetian artisans. There is no end to the creative possibilities involved in mask decor. Patterned cloth wound and curled about the top and sides brings on a whole new persona.
The walls are filled with a menagerie of bells, snouts, plumes and curlicues. I’m especially intrigued by the bird-man with his flat top hat and dark shroud covering. Very mysterious. I wouldn’t want to run into him on a dark and rainy night.
My own little mask is small and elegant. After I choose my paint colors and apply them, it is time to use a hair dryer to finish up the drying process. Afterwards I pick my embellishments of jewels and feathers.
Our masks are finished and we couldn’t be more delighted. We had a ball of our own right inside the little shop among the spooky phantoms and funny animal snouts. All eyes were on us, and we could have danced the day away. Had the sky not decided to let down a pour of rain the moment we stepped outside the shop after saying our goodbyes, we would have donned our masks and continued our party right down through the streets of Venice.
For more information about Ca’Macana mask shop in Venice, click here ~
A couple of them are happily hanging in my kitchen.
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Wow! I’m fairly new to social media and it’s great to see how you’ve hooked up with others with like interests – not to mention a really fun experience making your masks, which turned out quite lovely! Positive any way you look at it.
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Hi Karen, glad you stopped by. The entire experience was beyond belief! With ladies that have the same passion that I have for Italy. The very best!
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On my first trip to Venice I bought a mask and nursed all the way through Europe and home to Australia! It survived and now sits in my bookcase in the lounge room 😀
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Works of art in a country where art is in their blood.
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Steve, even the food is displayed as a work of art…everything they do is with flair. It’s just natural.
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Ahh, so colorful, Susan. I love them and looks like you guys had so much fun making them. 🙂
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I love taking creative art classes in other countries, this one looks fabulous! Happy to see that you ladies had such a great time.
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It was so much fun…I completely agree:)
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what a fun day! The masks in Venice! UGGGG…so many to choose from! It would have been difficult for me to decide on a design…love your choices!
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It took me way too long to choose…everyone had theirs and here I am, browsing still. Great fun!
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Susan, your blog brought our fun day in Venice right back to me. How we enjoyed ourselves! It was wonderful how four strangers bonded so well. Isn’t blogging great? We all have so much in common that I felt as though we had known each other for years. Looking forward to meeting up again soonest. Orna
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I felt like I was transported back to that amazing day in Venice while reading your words, Susan! Yes it truly was a fun-filled day! I’d do it again in a heartbeat!!
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What an amazing, fabulous day. I have always had a thing about masks and now of course I have a thing about these gorgeous ones made in Venezia.
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Lyn, you must go and make one when you are in Venice. It was so much fun!
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Oh, I love the masks. I think I need one to go with my blue outfit from my recent blog. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
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Natalie, I thought of you when I posted this just now. Yes, that blue outfit…perfect!
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