There is an exciting buzz in The Ark right now as we prepare to launch our fascinating summer project Masks! later this week. Rain or shine, we're gearing up for a jam-packed summer of mask making fun.

Tomas Hardiman, the Curator, Tony Donoghue, the Exhibition Designer, Mark Rooney, The Ark's Production Manager and Francesco Bistoni, The Ark's Assistant Production Manager, have spent the past few weeks, drilling, building, painting, setting up and preparing the masks for the exhibition. Some of the hand made displays will feature interactive activities, making it fun for the whole family.

Tony and Mark set up the African masks.

Masks have always held a fascination and a magic that everyone can relate to and the traditions and rituals associated with them are many and complex. The aim of this exhibition is to create an accessible way for children and their families to tap into some of that magic together. The exhibition is arranged as an introduction which will hopefully lead to an enhanced appreciation of these objects of wonder. We're presenting these masks in a way which we hope will entertain and inform the whole family and hope you will be able to join us at The Ark this summer.