Residency 3 : Mask, Arts & Crafts
Art of the Mask, Tool from Our Past/ Erasmus+ Small Scale Partnerships
Dates: from the 31 of August to the 7th of September 2025
with “The Bag Ladies, yarn bombing community event” explores how masks can strengthen community bonds.
Project Preparation
Recycling & Making
Gathering and sorting of materials
Community outreach
Brainstorming session: about themes, and colour schemes
Exchanging with local artists
Discussions and exchanging of techniques.
Discovering other artists work,
Collaboration for Saturdays main event
Community Event
Outdoor activities
Community gathering Evening performance and live art interaction
Workshops
Shared meal
Arts and crafts workshops
Setting up workspaces
Making decorations and accessories from recycled materials,
Exploring mask making with clay.
Key events
of our week in Lïsov.
The Bag Ladies, yarn bombing community event explores how masks and collective creation can strengthen community bonds.
Project preparation
Collecting Materials, Recycling…
Gathering and sorting of the materials
Brainstorming session: themes, ideas, colour schemes.
Preparation of fabric strips and balls
Once the ideas were refined, we moved on to the crucial step of creating samples to assess the harmony of colours and textures.
The team then comes together to develop a schedule, assigning missions to each person. Recycled materials were integrated inventively, bringing a distinctive and ecological touch to the project.
The enthusiasm was palpable at every stage, with everyone contributing their creativity to this collective work. The end result? A piece that tells a story, combining tradition and modernity while celebrating artisanal know-how.
Workshops, making and playing
Being creative!
Workshop with Adriana, Tracey and local students — creative use of recycled materials, making accessories using weaving, knitting and braiding techniques
- Crafting and individual work.
- Collaborative making
- Exploration of mask kit
Individual work allowed everyone to express themselves freely while drawing inspiration from collective ideas. The lively discussions and exchange of ideas strengthened the cohesion of the group, making the creative process even more meaningful.
Diving into the mask kit was a most rewarding adventure. Ultimately, these masks are not mere objects; they embody a symphony of collaboration and a shared commitment to art.
Exchange with local artist Fero Lipták
Artistic meetings
- Fero Lipták is a multifaceted artist, filmmaker, and illustrator known for his imaginative work featuring a little red man in various scenarios. With a background in applied arts and scenography, he has collaborated with Slovak theatre and filmmakers since 1986, gaining recognition in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Lipták founded the independent theatre company TEATRO TATRO.
- Meeting and working with such a talented artist was a privilige and pleasure for all.
Meetings with other artists and teachers
Artistic meetings
We met various teachers including regional teachers of theatre sei and props design.
Rehearsals with The Bag Ladies
Preparations for the community event
- Open rehearsals and critical exchange with local young people
- Exploring and making use of the museum space, indoors and out.
- Final decision about performance areas
The Bag Ladies’ rehearsals were an exciting blend of creativity and collaboration. The open rehearsals invited local young people to engage in a critical exchange, fostering a vibrant dialogue between different generations. This interaction not only enriched the performances but also provided invaluable insights into the perspectives of the local community.
The exploration of the museum space, both indoors and outdoors, allowed the team to innovate and adapt, ensuring the performances were dynamic and responsive to their environment. After much consideration, the final decision about performance areas was made, marking an important step in the creative process. This led to the creation of:four new solo performances, each a unique expression of the artists’ visions.
Additionally, an extra scene was devised using a local resident’s car, adding an unexpected and delightful twist to the performance. This inventive use of the space and resources underscored the group’s commitment to community involvement and artistic experimentation. The rehearsals not only prepared the performers for the upcoming shows but also left a lasting impression on the local audience, highlighting the power of art to connect and inspire.
Installations
Preparations for the community event,
all hands on deck for the final installations
Cooking area
Local young people, artists, locals of all ages and both teams from France and Slovakia start installing the art work, stage and dining areas.
Defining the workshop areas
Participants come together to create and install beautiful yarn decorations, adding a touch of creativity and whimsy to the community.
A Mask Community Event “The Bag Ladies, Yarn Bombing”
Community event and workshops
- Community gathering and celebration
- Public workshop with artists
- Evening performance and live art interaction
- Community dinner celebration
The event was a lively occasion sparking joy and curiosity among residents and tourists, encouraging a sense of unity and connection.
Participants were able to immerse themselves in the creative world of artists thanks to public workshops which allowed the exchange of techniques and inspirations. In the evening, a captivating performance and live artistic interaction took place, Transporting audiences to a realm uniting art and community. The day concluded with a community dinner, a true feast of local flavours, where everyone was able to share their impressions and ideas in a friendly and festive atmosphere. This gathering strengthened ties between residents and highlighted the power of art as a vector of social cohesion and collective expression.
Partners
