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Tryon Arts and Crafts School introduces “Masks 4 Masses”, an ongoing competition, donation drive and free online learning program for homemade mask-making. The school is coordinating between mask-makers and the community, acting as a receiving and distribution center for masks. All masks will be given out by request to area businesses and individuals in need of masks.

TACS has teamed up with local health professionals, leaders and artists who will judge the masks and provide weekly prizes. Contributors include St. Luke’s Hospital, Agape Upstate Community Hospice House, Town Manager Zach Ollis, Jamie Carpenter, Patti D’Arbanville, David Edgar, Sam Oliver, prize sponsors Kathy and John Toomey and many others. TACS welcomes additional local business participation through prize offerings or shared services.

For mask-makers who are in it to win it, grand prizes will be awarded later in 2020 in the categories of “Most Masks Made” and “Best Crafted” Mask. The latter will be judged by Becky Rickenbaker, artist and Marketing Coordinator at St. Luke’s Hospital. Grand prize winners will receive gift baskets featuring carved wooden bear trophies by Bernard Edwards.

Masks are already pouring in with recent donations by Cindy Urquhart, Beverly Wilson, Barbara Smith, Katelind Correll. As Masks 4 Masses picks up steam, TACS will publish a live map tracking the journey of the masks to their destinations. TACS will share mask-maker statistics, prize winning mask photos, and other Masks 4 Masses news through press publications, the school’s web site, and social media. Keep track with Masks 4 Masses by searching for the following social media tags: #masks4masses, #m4m, #tryontogether, and #1millionmasks.

Why masks? The federal government and Center for Disease Control recently recommended that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings “to slow the spread of the [coronavirus] and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.” TACS is seizing this opportunity to encourage our creative community to put our vast skills to a good cause which benefits us all.

To request masks, donate masks, learn how to make masks or offer materials, visit tryonartsandcrafts.org/masks4masses or contact administrator@tryonartsandcrafts.org, 828-859-8323.

Submitted by Will Barclift