Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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."



Sunday, June 10, 2012

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!