Talking Anubis and Making Masks

     Yesterday, we had a sold-out workshop for children at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University. During the first part of the program, I gave an "Anubis Speaks" tour through the galleries, focusing on some of the not so well-known depictions of the god of embalming.
     The one up top, for example, shows an atypical posture for the god. Instead of weighing hearts or presiding over a ceremony, Anubis seems to be throttling a snake, likely a representation of the evil monster Apophis. In his front hand he seems to be holding up a lotus flower cup, a symbol of renewal.
     Anubis is everywhere in the Egyptian galleries, from Old Kingdom coffins to Ptolemaic/Greek era mummy covers (right). 
     The kids particularly relished my detailed, gross talk on the actual process of mummification. After that, we moved onto the workshop part of the program--making masks!
     Artist Pam Beagle 
Daresta 
helped the kids create their three-dimensional black and gold beauties. While the kids were cutting the fancy black and gold paper, I reminded them that many of the rituals of mummification were performed by priests wearing similar masks. This made some of them cut even faster!
     The project required a lot of concentration and attention to details but the kids were up for the challenge.
     After-ward, a number of the kids asked me to sign their copies of Anubis Speaks!  The bloody paw-print stamp, I've been told, was a favorite part of my "autograph." 
      I was determined to make my own mask but didn't get to because I was assisting Pam and museum education manager, Nina West.  I'm not a visual artist, so my "help" ended up being more of the "fetching glue and patterns" variety. I took all the raw supplies home, though, determined to make my

very own jackal-headed mask of the god of embalming and death.
     I can't wait to make scary god-dog noises through the 3-D snout!
     Teachers, making Anubis masks is a fun activity. So is stuffing little felt hearts and weighing them against the feather of truth (which I conveniently bring with me!).
     Invite me to your schools/classrooms so we can enjoy the wonderful-strangeness of Ancient Egypt together!

3-D Mask of Anubis

Elizabeth Hornor models the prototype for the 3-D Anubis masks we'll be making...

     This, my friends, is why I love my job (well, it's not really my job, it's more of my passion, but you know what I mean, right?). Today, I met at the Carlos Museum with local artist Pam Beagle as well as Elizabeth Hornor and Nina West from the museum's education department to work out the details for my upcoming children's program. 
     Look, just look, at the 3-D mask of Anubis Pam created. We are going to make these masks as part of the "Anubis Speaks!" program. And this is just the prototype. The ones we will create that day will be on glossy gold and black paper. Isn't Pam's work amazing???
     The program--from 1-3 pm on Sunday, November 17--will begin with an "Anubis Tour," where I will guide kids through the galleries looking for mummies, monsters and Anubis. Then we will move to the art room where we will make our 3-D masks. I will tell stories from my latest book, Anubis Speaks!, while we work.

     The program is limited to 16 participants, so if you think your child will want to be a part of it, sign up soon.  Here are the deets:

For ages 8-12 years. Fee: $12 for Carlos Museum members;

$15 for non-members. Registration is required by

calling 404-727-0519. 

I, for one, cannot wait!