Join Artist Dennis McNett for a mask making workshop on Thursday, February 16th from 6 to 9pm. During the workshop participants will learn to create masks and McNett will demonstrate how to pull prints to adorn the masks.

McNett is our Visiting Artist and Scholar in Teaching (VAST) resident for Winter 2023. He is a storyteller whose inventive and imaginative personal mythology about the world directly translates into the lively works he creates. Drawing from varied sources, including traditional folklore as well as popular culture stories, he continues to innovate while still honoring age-old traditions. McNett has over twenty years of experience specializing in wood carving and wood block/relief printmaking. He then uses these carved markings as the basis for relief prints which become collage materials. These materials become the larger-than-life three-dimensional installations similar to what is currently on view at SMA in the exhibition Pushing the Press. Known for his highly graphic, energetic and mythical creations, Dennis’ masks and puppets are seen across the country in art processions.

In addition to learning how to make your own mask participants will be invited to participate in a Spring Equinox procession led by McNett in March. Get ready to let out your inner creature and celebrate new beginnings! More information to come to those who register.

About Dennis McNett

Dennis McNett graduated from Pratt institute with an MFA degree in 2004, where he taught until 2012. He has shown internationally including The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Me Collection Museum in Berlin, MOHS exhibit in Copenhagen, Galleria Patricia Armocida, Milano, Italy, and nationally including The Ft. Wayne Museum of Art, Museum of Print History, Houston, TX, Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FL, and Jonathan LeVine Gallery, NYC, Known Gallery, LA. He has been interviewed and featured by the New York Times, Juxtapoz Magazine, NPR, the Houston Chronicle and other notable sources. McNett has also contributed as a visiting artist/lecturer at over thirty Universities, colleges and art centers such as RISD, Philadelphia Academy of Fine Art, Mexi-Arte Museum, Universidad De Monterrey Monterrey, Mexico, and the John Michelle Kohler Art Center. Aside from showing and contributing to fine art institutions, his work has filled the window displays of Barney’s in NYC, has been displayed on dozens of Antihero skateboards, can be found on murals/street in places such as NYC, Philadelphia and Richmond, VA.