Every year I look forward to teaching new clay techniques through the creation of African masks.  As a class, we discuss the features the masks have in common, such as long angular noses, small mouths, eyes.  We also discuss how the materials are found, such as wood, grass, metals.  

This lesson is also a jumping point to another lesson on Modigliani.  He was heavily influenced by these features.  Another major artist, Picasso, was also impressed by African masks.  His friend Matisse gave him a mask as a gift.