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Pictured: Pamela Kersten shows off her collection of masks in her highly organized studio. Mrs. Kersten has become known worldwide for the sheer caliber of her Mardi Gras prize masks.

Master of the Masks

Mardi Gras Mask artist is best of the Best!

Pam Kersten: Master of the Mardi Gras Masks

New Orleans, La. January 17, 2001 ....... The Internet is a fascinating place, if you have the rumba's to explore the net from large sites to the very small ones. I routinely go where the search engines have yet to dispatch their robots.

One night approximately two months ago, when exploring the net, as I often do, I came across a site on Mardi Gras masks. Being an artists myself, I dutifully went through the site to see what the masks artist was selling or making. I was not fully prepared for the sight I was about to behold.

It seems Pam Kersten, believes in masking, and believing that she has set about making the very best masks at will. The Bainbridge Review, April, 1996, wrote the following of Mrs. Kersten; " Mask art is an ancient and powerful tradition. It is this artist's foremost desire to show honor, respect, and reverence for the animals she portrays. As an ancient form of communication, these masks have a special ability to interact with the observer and bring a new understanding and appreciation of our natural world. Their three-dimensional forms come to life allowing the viewer to feel more connected to the diversity of life on our planet. Unusual materials, inventive techniques, and Pam's own clear vision combine to create a population of wild and wonderful animal drama."

Pam Kersten has been designing and producing unique masks since 1995. Animals, both wild and domestic, have long been her favored subject matter. From the beginning, her interpretations have been unique and individual both in concept and in execution. Recent designs, especially those for Mardi Gras 2001, lean more toward other kinds of characterizations, while exploring new treatments of texture, color, line, and movement.

All are beautifully made, finely detailed, and very unique. Lightweight and flexible, most of Pam’s designs are comfortably wearable… Wearers consistently report feeling an immediately and thorough transformation… an easy transition into character.

It is worth noting that most masks offer completely unrestricted opportunities for speaking and vocalizing. Have a conversation, act, perform, or break into song! All will be easy, comfortable, and natural while in character with one of Pam’s masks.


Known simply as " Party Kitty", this mask would look great on anyone's girlfriend.

I found the masks to be very pleasing to the eye, as I have always thought and held the idea that we should as artists get as close to the subject piece as possible. Now, I don't know if Pam subscribes to that school of philosophy, but I'll bet it's darn close to it. If you look at her art it's as close as possible to the form of the subject. In other words, guys, you don't have to struggle to try and recognize what she was trying to accomplish. None of that impressionist junk for me. It appears, that Mrs. Kersten doesn't like it either.

Pam Kersten’s background includes five years on staff with Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis; freelance work with The Minnesota Opera, St. Paul; consulting, teaching, and freelance work with many community theater groups and public schools in the Pacific Northwest. While much of her early work sprang from experiences near the source of the Mississippi River, her recent efforts have focused on Mardi Gras, near where that great river flows timelessly into the Gulf.

Materials that are used in nearly all masks are foam, plastic, fiber and fabric of various kinds, latex, and acrylic paints. The masks are fabricated individually using unique methods that have been developed and refined by Pam over a period of many years.

All masks are painted. Initial coats are applied by a variety of methods. Color coats and decorative work are mainly airbrushed, but some stippling and other techniques are used as needed. A variety of topcoats may be used to control or enhance the surface, the texture, or to create depth of color. Dyes are not used. No greasy or oily pigments are used. Nothing will rub off or transfer to the wearer’s skin.

Now while Mrs. Kersten does hold on to some secrets, Pam's animal masks are the most original and unique that you will see anywhere. Starting from a basic face form, each mask is built and painted individually by hand. They are not pressed into shape, cast from a form, or made from a mold. Even though there may be generations of a particular character, each individual is distinct.


	This tiger mask could be the conversation piece you've been looking for on Bourbon Street.

Pam actually makes at least 99 percent of the masks, Her husband, Dan, takes care of some of the mundane stuff like marketing, making big charts, ordering supplies and coffee, and packing the masks in their boxes for shipping. Alex, their son, has created the current set of graphics used on tags, stationery and such. Recently, he has done some painting. When things get really busy, other relatives and friends pitch in to help. But it is Pam’s vision that is represented, from the initial design stages, all the way through construction and painting. Pam’s own hands do the vast majority of the work.

The masks Pam Kersten makes are pretty tough and forgiving, but there are some things to watch out for if and when you purchase one of these great pieces. Try not to drop them. They are flexible, but don’t overdo it.

They’re not like rubber Halloween masks. Don’t try to fold or roll them, they will crack. This may also cause paint to chip or flake. Ears can be broken off, whiskers and hair can pull loose. If stuff gets loose, glue it back carefully. Handle masks with affection. Rough treatment will show. Take care of them, and treat them with respect, and they will last for years. Dust should be blown or brushed gently off. Wipe with a soft damp cloth if needed, but don’t soak them. Hanging them up is always the safest and best way to store and display your mask.

Now as I wrap this up, I encourage everyone to mask this season, try it you will like it. Masking brings some of the mystery back to Mardi Gras, just as it did in the old days. The old ways put excitement back into the holiday as it was meant to be.

I can recommend a good mask dealer, Master mask maker, Pam Kersten's line. I didn't put to many of her masks here because there are just too many. If you want to find and buy a great one, the best way is to look through pictures of Pam’s work, shown on the pages of http://www.mask-artist.com. The masks that are displayed there are sold from different galleries. On each page has contact information for that gallery. Please contact the gallery directly to purchase any mask. If you want special orders then I strongly suggest that you please contact Pam directly. The Q and A page at http://www.mask-artist.com will tell you how.

Man! What an artist! Way to go Pam!

Mardi Gras Digest