Jolly, Merry Masks! Holiday Schedule

Tis the season for spreading joy and getting someone that special gift! We will be at several local locations in the Bay Area this season. Stop by and see our latest selection of Italian-style masks, party masks, holiday masks and 'just jolly good fun' masks.

December 8-13: One Market near Ferry Plaza in San Francisco

December 14-15-16 and

December 22-23-24: Telegraph Street Fair in Berkeley

December 31 (New Year's Eve): Ringing in 2013 at the Sea of Dreams "LunaSea" at the Concourse in San Francisco -- wow, it looks like an amazing show again this year!

Thanks to everyone (my family, friends, fans, customers, and fellow street fair artists) for their love and support throughout the year. I couldn't have done it without you. Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

Venetian Masks for Dogs in San Anselmo

It was a gorgeous day in Marin County California on Sunday, perfect for the San Anselmo Street Fair. There were some extremely talented artists, and mascherari Steve Pogni was one of them. People of all ages had fun trying on masks, even the pooches!


A quick look at the history of Italian "Carnival of Venice" masks and maskmakers, from Wikipedia: "Masks have always been a main feature of the Venetian carnival.Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) and the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. They have always been around Venice. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild. Venetian masks can be made in leather or with the original glass technique. The original masks were rather simple in design, decoration, often had a symbolic, and practical function. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso and gold leaf and are all hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate."

MASK Booth at Haight Street Fair Today

Steve Pogni with one of his handmade mask creations.

We are here at the Haight Street Fair in San Francisco today. Come down and check out our new MASKS! The weather is beautiful out -- take advantage of the hot weather before the July fog arrives!


See the map of the Haight Street Fair.  Find the Mask booth in the middle (about halfway).


Italian styles masks, wearable masks, fun masks, party masks, mostly all handmade and one-of-a-kinds. See one of Steve Pogni's latest creations here on the right.

Next Sunday on Father's Day (June 17) we will be at the North Beach Festival in San Francisco. It's the perfect event for the whole family. And we have an Italian-style mask for everyone. Hope to see you there!

May Schedule - New Mask Styles!

Tons of new mask styles are available as we get ready for summer! Find us at at these 3 venues coming up:

• May 13 - "How Weird" on Howard Street in San Francisco
• May 20 - "Bogie on the Bayou" in Campbell
• May 27-28 - "San Francisco Carnivale" in the Mission District
• June 3-4 - "Art and Wine" Festival in Sunnyvale

Italian-style masks, handmade masks, San Francisco masks, masks for the whole family. Hope to see you soon!

Black Swan

Steve Pogni at his booth of magical and wonderfully handmade masks

                  

Venetian Ball this Weekend in Marin

The Osher Marin Jewish Community Center (JCC) invited me to be featured at their annual gala and auction, "A Night in Venice" this weekend. This is an exciting event because it's such a great group of people, it will definitely be a fun time!


I will be there Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm selling my hand-crafted, customized Venetian style masks.


Hope to see you all there!