The Autry’s Collecting Community History Initiative: The West During COVID-19

Posted on: May 11, 2020

Topics: The Autry's Collecting Community History Initiative, Collections

By Tyree Boyd-Pates, Associate Curator

Several weeks ago, we launched our Collecting Community History Initiative: The West During COVID-19. Within that time, we have received a slew of submissions. This week’s blog post highlights the diversity of the masks across the West.

As states have required individuals to wear face masks in public, communities of all sorts are using their creativity to design their homemade facemasks to free-up other PPE masks for medical professionals. Using their creativity and ingenuity, we have seen many creative kinds similar to those that have gone viral across social media. Here are several and the stories behind them:

Read the stories behind the masks (click for details)

black and which photo of stack of 15 floral masks — Duyen Tran, Alhambra, CA: I made masks for me, friends and family using 100% cotton fabric. Initially from bed sheets and clothes, then store-bought fabric and then from donated material. These facemasks signify protection, lack of security, disconnection, local grassroots response, make-shift. Previously, garment work was undervalued, yet it’s now an essential skill).

man wearing dark hat, glasses, and blue bandana with the word friendly, holds two fingers up in peace sign — Patrick Keady, Los Feliz, CA: My bandana facemasks are constructed from the blue cotton square. Its screen printed and COVID-friendly. I really wanted to show others I was protecting them.

woman with braided hair wearing glasses, and a blue mask with red, white and black design — Meghan Jones, Burbank CA: From all the masks I’ve worn during this pandemic, my homemade Beatles mask is my favorite because it gives me an identity in a sea of anonymity. People recognize the Beatles, and in so doing, may recognize me.

woman wearing a pink mask with black, and white design holds her chin in her hand, blue sky background — Michaele Evans, Los Angeles, CA: My facemask means a lot of different things to me at this moment. It serves as a reminder to be extra cautious, more alert, and aware of my surroundings. Although it does not provide the highest level of protection, it represents safety and consideration for others. I intentionally did not purchase an N95 mask to preserve medical PPE for those serving sick patients on the front lines, so my facemask represents ingenuity, resiliency, and survival.

family of 3 children and two parents in playground, all wearing masks — Terence Pratt, Three Rivers, CA: My wife, Noelle, and I have been shooting a photographic series about our small town in Quarantine, called “Quarantine Portraits.”

two women standing back to back looking at the camera both wearing headdress with matching mask, black background — Noel Corbin, Valley Village, CA: During the last week in March while watching the news, I began making ruffle facemasks from the comfortable cotton blend fabric I had in my home. As people started requesting to purchase my facemasks after sharing on social media, I ordered Ankara (West African) fabric and fashion fabrics to create even more facemasks. Both materials are breathable and comfortable to wash, while the patterns are bright and fun. Each of my ruffle facemasks represents fashion and culture. As a designer, I have a responsibility to use my skills to create products that cover the body, providing safety while also making people feel good. Something as simple as a ruffle makes me feel like I am putting on a fashion accessory, not just a pandemic mandatory item.

woman wearing a mask with matching headdress, black background — Noel Corbin, Valley Village, CA: During the last week in March while watching the news, I began making ruffle facemasks from the comfortable cotton blend fabric I had in my home. As people started requesting to purchase my facemasks after sharing on social media, I ordered Ankara (West African) fabric and fashion fabrics to create even more facemasks. Both materials are breathable and comfortable to wash, while the patterns are bright and fun. Each of my ruffle facemasks represents fashion and culture. As a designer, I have a responsibility to use my skills to create products that cover the body, providing safety while also making people feel good. Something as simple as a ruffle makes me feel like I am putting on a fashion accessory, not just a pandemic mandatory item.

woman wearing white tie-dye mask with matching t-shirt — Karina Jimenez, South Pasadena, CA: My masks are made of tie-dye t-shirts and have given me a sense of purpose because of my ability to create. Although I’ve been out of work as an artist and hairstylist, making facemasks have allowed me to stay connected with my clients and be able to earn money to help contribute to my household. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

woman on street with mask and hands with blue gloves raised in the air — Kristina Wong, Los Angeles, CA: My facemasks represent the community of volunteer mask makers that I have led during this pandemic—Auntie Sewing Squad. While it wasn’t intentional, we are primarily a group of women of color, specifically Asian American women. The masks we make represent the generosity and care we take for each other, even though many of us have never met in person. As an activity, sewing can be isolating and exhausting, especially since we don’t do this professionally. However, we have created an “Auntie Care Coordinator” who facilitates care offerings and requests so those in the group can get a meal sent to them, baked goods, or just treats that make their Quarantine better.

mannequin with mask with long blue and gold ribbons on the sides matching necklace and skirt — Brighid Pulskamp, La Habra, CA: I’ve been handcrafting Native expressive facemasks. From the masks, I’ve tried a lot of different patterns and altered them to fit my Navajo cheeks. Most of the materials I’ve used were from my craft room as I have a lot first traditional and pow wow regalia that I design. I’ve even made a mask that coordinates with ribbon skirts or to coordinate with existing regalia. This mask (featured) I made is being donated to UCLA’s American Indian Alumni Association (AIA) for a fundraiser for scholarships for American Indian students in higher education.

couple poses in formal style, man seated and woman stands behind the chair both masked and facing the camera, a dog sits at their feet — Tori Tingley Ryan, Sherman Oaks, CA: My husband, Scott Tingley Ryan, and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on May 3rd, 2020, while under the Safer at Home order. We wanted to capture the moment as best we could, so we put our wedding clothes back on and had a photoshoot with our homemade masks and our dog, Minnie.

Each facemask above offer glimpses into how individuals—and their communities—are asserting their identities even amidst the pandemic. Which one was your favorite?

Look out for future blog posts highlighting other submissions similar to this. We are excited to partner with you to log your account about the West during COVID-19.

Autry Museum of the American West

The Autry’s Collecting Community History Initiative: The West During COVID-19

Read the stories behind the masks (click for details)

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